How to Get Rid of Old Mobile Phones

An older model mobile phone can make a good donation.

When you upgrade your mobile phone, you might suddenly find yourself with an unwanted older model phone on your hands. When getting rid of an old mobile phone, you have numerous options, including selling, donating, recycling or throwing it away. You'll need to look up your local trash disposal regulations for throwing away electronics, so it's generally easier to look into selling or donating it first. Many charities, such as women's shelters and churches, accept old mobile phones as donations.

Things You'll Need

• Old mobile phone

Instructions

1. Prepare your phone for disposal. Delete any remaining contacts, remove or wipe the SIM card, and remove the battery. Contact your cell phone service to make sure that you're no longer responsible for calls made on that phone.

2. Look up the make and model of your phone online on a website such as Cell for Cash. If it's still in good working order, and relatively new, consider selling it online. You can sell old mobile phones on eBay or directly to companies such as Pace Butler.

3. Find a local phone donation center. Many electronics stores, such as Staples or Best Buy, have phone donation drop boxes. Cell phone retailers also commonly have old mobile phone donation boxes.

4. Contact local charities, such as women's shelters, homeless centers and churches, and ask whether they take old mobile phone donations.

5. Recycle your old mobile phone. You find recycling centers near you by calling Call2Recycle's free service at 877-273-2925 or by visiting their website.

References

• IT Pro: Five Ways to Get Rid of Your Old Phone
• Alternative Wireless: Cell Phone Donations
• Cell for Cash
• Pace Butler: Cell
• eBay: Cell Phone Selling Guide

Resources

• Call2Recycle: Recycling Locations