How to Recycle Landline Phones

As more people come to use a cell phone as a primary phone line, the use and need for landline-based phones continues to decrease. A landline phone is any phone that is connected to a physical telephone line, such as a home phone line.
Landline phones include cordless phones and traditional wired-handset models. Many people might simply throw these landline phones in the trash as they reduce or eliminate the phone lines in their homes and offices. But recycling landline phones can give the phone use in another setting, such as a non-profit office or low-income home. Recycling the batteries found in cordless phones also can reduce the harm done to the environment when these batteries are simply thrown in the trash. Old phones can also be brought to electronics recycling centers that melt down usable materials for use in making new electronics.

Instructions

1. Take corded phones (those that are wired physically to a base) and disconnect them from the landlines. Consider donating these phones to Goodwill or other charity organizations. Non-profit offices can use the phones, or charities that deal with low-income homes can distribute telephones to those who need them.

2. Sell your phones on websites such as eBay or sell them through yard sales. Old landline phones may be worth more if they're no longer in production.

3. Dispose of cordless phones that you do not plan on donating by first turning off the cordless phone, disconnecting it from the wall outlet, and removing the rechargeable battery.

4. Take the rechargeable battery to a place that is equipped to handle these batteries and will recycle them. Some electronics stores participate in these programs and some cities have drop off locations. The website in the Resources section below helps consumers locate battery recycling locations and collection locations.

5. Locate centers that are specially designed to handle the recycling of old electronic devices. Earth911.org (see Resources below) helps users locate the nearest electronics recycling centers to dispose, telephones, computers and other devices. The centers will dismantle the electronics to melt down material that can be recycled.

Tips & Warnings

• Give old landline phones to a friend or family member who may use landline services before giving the phone to charity or throwing it away.

• Always try to recycle cordless phone batteries and never expose them to heat or open flame.

References

• Recycling phone batteries

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Battery Disposal Guide
• Earth911.com: Locate Electronics Recycling Centers