How you can recycle your old phone

At some point anyone can have an old phone and you really want to get rid of it. It maybe old model for you someone out there might be badly in need of it. The phone may be broken but don’t throw it away as that would be dangerous to the environment. Over the years, we have seen an increase in electronic waste which poses a threat to the environment, which has led to passing of regulations to curb irresponsible wastage. It may be hard to find a way of getting rid of your device while benefitting and at the same time not adding more waste to the environment. We bring you how you can recycle your device and yes more online information is available to help you out.

Why your phone should be recycled

E-waste is posing a great danger to the environment as well as human health. Phones are composed of components that have hazardous materials because they can leach into water and soil. All this can be avoided since phones can be recycled or reused in a friendly way.
According to the UN, about 20 per cent of all electronic waste is recycled which is promising.

What to do before the phone is recycled

Prior to discarding your phone mainly ‘smart phone’, ensure to back up your data to avoid losing any data. It can be backed up to the cloud or and data storage device. Also perform a factory data reset to the phone so that your personal information is not left behind.

How to recycle your phone

If you have ever traded your old phone to upgrade to a new one, you actually know how to easily recycle your phone.

Phone makers
Whoever made the device you’re trying to return might be your best option to recycle your phone. HP, Samsung and Sony, for example, all have trade-in programs. Chances are that the company that made your device will also offer a trade-in scheme so that you can upgrade devices at a discount.

Resellers
If you already have a new phone and just want to sell your older phone, there are options for that, too. Jiiji Uganda and eBay are familiar choices, but you should explore phone reseller-specific services.

Carriers and stores
Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, and even Apple all offer trade-in programs, where you can trade in an old phone for a discount on a new one. Retailers like Best Buy and staples also have trade-in programs that will let you earn from your old device. There might even be locally owned stores or businesses near you that will buy your old electronics. Shop
around and try to get the best price.

You can donate your phone for a good cause

Giving away a smartphone is not that hard, right? You know that person who breaks a phone at least once a month. Actually your old device can be given for charity and put it to a good use. It’s your choice to decide which cause you want to support with your old device.

Medic Mobile

You can send Medic Mobile your old phone, and it will recycle it and use the profits to fund healthcare services in 26 countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

Cellphones for Soldiers

Cellphones for Soldiers puts phones into soldiers' hands. Although it’s not exactly what you might expect. They don’t send your donated device to troops overseas. Instead, it uses the
proceeds from your donated phones to purchase international calling cards that soldiers can then use with their military-approved phones. Since 2004, Cellphones for Soldiers has donated 300 million minutes of talk time and provided emergency funding to 3,100
military families, all while recycling 15 million phones.

Secure the Call

Every phone can call emergency services, and Secure the Call uses this to keep your old phone serving a purpose. It collects old phones and works to put them into the hands of people who are isolated and need a way to call 911 at any moment, like victims of domestic
violence or the elderly. It'll even take your broken phone and trade it with recycling companies for phones in better shapes.

Oxfam

If you’re in the UK, you can recycle your phone and donate the proceeds to
Oxfam, which fights poverty around the UK and accepts donations in all forms, even cars. It has a special page dedicated to helping you get rid of your old phone.

Your local recycler

Some things are just too old or too broken to be easily recycled to a charity or at a store. So, if you still can’t find a compatible place to donate your old phone, it’s time to get in touch with your local recycler or waste management authority. This might cost you something, but it’s usually not enough to break the bank.