Managing outdated phones can be difficult. The decision of what to do with them when you decide to upgrade is never quite clear. It is everyone’s duty to responsibly recycle old phones in order to prevent any negative repercussions. IT administrators need to figure out how to close this gap and safely and sustainably retire these electronic devices. The two main threats of recycling phones are environmental damage and data breaches. When a person sells a phone without properly deleting any sensitive data from it, the future owner of the device may obtain access to private information. Lithium batteries, among other hazardous compounds included in phones, can have a negative environmental impact. Reducing these dangers can be facilitated by a recycling plan.
This article elaborates on recycling old phones and different methods of recycling them.
How to Prepare Your Phone for Recycling
You must ensure that you do not lose your pictures, music, contracts, and other important data when you choose to upgrade or change your phone. In doing so, you must also double-check to ensure that no one else can access your phone data when you get rid of your old phone. Take the following steps to prepare your phone for recycling:
- Backup your phone: You will never lose any important data when you back up your phone to the cloud or an external drive. You can do both for safety.Â
- Sign out of all your accounts: To avoid the danger of other people gaining access to your personal details like email, bank details, subscriptions, etc., ensure you sign out of all your accounts. Also, ensure you unpair all the devices connected to your phone.Â
- Remove your saved usernames and passwords: Your phone will have your usernames and passwords saved within. Ensure you check the settings of your phone to remove all such saved data to avoid unnecessary access to unwanted people.Â
- Unlink and extract your SIM card: Upon signing out and unpairing all devices and accounts from your phone, remove your SIM card. If you choose to continue with the same number, you will be able to change it to your new phone. Destroy it or erase it in case you choose to not use it in the future.Â
- Reset your phone: Perform a factory reset on your phone to ensure that all your sensitive data is removed from your phone.Â
Local Recycling Options
Cell phone carriers and makers like Apple, Samsung, OnePlus, etc., have options that allow you to trade in your old phones. They allow you to bring in older models and upgrade to new versions. They will deduct the remaining value of your old phone from the cost of your new one. The condition of the phone, its age, and its present market worth will all be taken into consideration when determining the old phone’s value. In case you still have not made up your mind on the phone you want, you will be able to have the value of your old cell phone refunded to your account in the form of a coupon, gift card, or credit.
Online Recycling Programs
In case you do not want to deal with the burden of dealing with your cell phone carrier or manufacturing company, you can choose the online path. You can outright sell your phone through different social media avenues like Facebook Marketplace, and Nextdoor, or even make use of store outlets that pay you directly.
Donating Your Old Cell Phones
If your phone is still in usable condition and you do not have anyone else to pass it on to, you can choose to donate it to a charitable organization. Here are some local groups that happily accept such donations:
- Cell phones for soldiers: They are a wonderfully helpful non-profit organization that makes use of the proceeds from donated electronic devices. They buy international calling cards for veterans and on-duty military members.Â
- Medic: This company makes software for healthcare workers who provide care in Asia and Africa. They recycle old phones and sell them. The proceeds are channelled for their work.
- World Computer Exchange: They are also a company that refurbishes and donates old technology to communities that are at risk.Â
Trade-In Programs
In case you are not big on selling your old cell phone, you can pivot it from ending up in landfill by trading it in. T-Mobile, Verizon, etc., always provide deals on trade-ins and they can earn a substantial amount of money from the price of your new phone. In case you do not want to continue down this journey through your company, several retailers like Samsung, Apple, Amazon, Best Buy, etc., provide similar programs that can help drive down the cost of your upcoming phone.
In case your phone is too outdated, there is a decent chance that you will not gain anything from trading it in. In such cases, the retailers will take care of the recycling process for you.
Creative Ways to Repurpose Old Cell Phones
A little creativity is all you need and your old phone can be transformed into anything you need. Here are some ideas:
- Alternative Security Camera: A phone that is no longer in use can easily be turned into a security camera. You can simply download and install a security camera application on your old as well as new device. You can then mount the old device at the needed spot. Ensure that the device has access to power and then you will easily be able to view the feed from your new device.
- Video chat device or wireless webcam: In case you are someone who works remotely or uses the video calling feature a lot, your old phone can serve as a focused interface for video chats when you have steady wifi coverage. Or in case you do not have a good webcam for your computer, you can make your old phone into a webcam. You simply need to download an application on your phone and link these two.
- Alarm Clock Alternative: You can convert your old smartphone into an alarm clock with a huge display. You simply need to set the alarm clock application on your phone and hook it up to a power source.
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Prachi, an accomplished Chief-Editor at The Sustainable Brands Journal, has 15+ years of experience in Europe, the Middle East, and India, managing 90+ global sustainable brands. She’s a prolific writer in sustainability, contributing to various publications. Prachi’s unwavering passion and expertise make her a recognized authority, driving positive change and inspiring a sustainable future.
