Lastly, the best thing to do with old phones, especially if they are still functional, is to recycle them. In this way, you not only dispose of gadgets properly but also help other people’s lives get better. It might sound like a simple act, but you make a positive impact all around you in reality. Read on and discover the value of recycling old phones charity.

Reasons For Recycle Old Phones Charity

E-waste Reduction

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), there are 350,000 disposed of mobile phones every day. That figure amounts to 152 million phones thrown away per year. That statistic is alarming because it is online about mobile phones alone; e-wastes such as media storage and other computer hardware are not included.  This only means that the volume of e-waste must be reduced sooner or later. Most users should be aware that e-waste problems can be solved thru responsible purchase and disposal of electronic media. 

That is why an act as simple as recycling old phones will gradually reduce the amount of e-waste. You should not ever think that a single old phone is not worthy of recycling just because you do not believe that it will make an actual difference; because it will! A recycle old phones charity will not let your phone go directly to a landfill. These organizations make sure that your old phone will not be an addition to the rest of the piling e-waste across the nation’s dump. 

Conserves Resources

You have read a gist of this reason above, but it deserves an elaboration; since it is one of the most important explanations, you should consider looking for a recycle old phones charity. It is a known fact that our resources are slowly depleting. Few occurrences can prove this point: the small percentage of freshwater, species extinction, and minerals’ rarity.  All of these are indeed concerning. That is why; consumers should know that any way of conservation must be practiced. 

One of these ways is to contact a recycle old phones charity instead of directly disposing of your old gadgets. Whenever an old phone is recycled, its useful materials are once again put to fair use. This prevents manufacturers from producing another material that will use further resources. And just so you know, one recycled phone saves enough energy to charge a laptop for 44 hours. This practice will not only let you conserve resources but also life.

Helps Other People

As long as you choose a trusted and capable recycle old phones charity, you are in an instant place of helping your peers. These kinds of organizations collect old phones in hopes of bettering other people’s lives. Most charities gather old phones, recycle useful parts, and then sell them back to manufacturers. The proceeds are now converted to a fund to help particular groups of people who are in need. 

On the other hand, some charities ask for old phones and leave them the way they are. They do not recycle it for useful materials or whatsoever. They directly give phones to individuals who need the device but cannot afford to buy one. Either way, they can come up with methods to ease the lives of others. So if you do work with them, you are one of those helping hands. 

Prevents Health Problems

Since old phones have toxic compositions, it is not ideal to store and throw them right away. You must find either a reliable ewaste company or a legitimate recycle old phones charity. But if your old phone is still completely functional, then go for the second option. 

Recycling or donating your old cell phone will prevent health problems for both humans and animals. Chemicals like lead and mercury are identified to give fatal damages to various organs. Keep in mind that the longer the exposure to these hazards, the more severe the health effects are. Therefore, as much as you can, start looking for an organization that can help you out.

Reminders Before Recycling Old Phones

There are simple precautions before recycling or donating your old phones. These reminders will prevent you from any unwanted concerns like privacy risks and data breaches. Furthermore, such steps will ensure that your old phone’s future beneficiaries receive the device in a decent condition. 

• Clear all your personal information, such as contacts and messages from the device. There are safe and secure ways on how to wipe up your data. If you are worried that you cannot clean every bit, calling an expert will assure you. 
• Unlink every account in your old phone. It may be accounted for regarding social media, banking, or cloud storage. 
• Remove SIM and SD cards if it has one.
• Ensure that the actual device has been fully paid and any of your current service subscriptions is deactivated.

Charities that Collect Old Phones

It is a relief to know that many organizations are willing to accept old phones. Each of these charities has their respective goals and mission. With that said, people who wish to get involved in a recycle old phones charity will have the absolute freedom of choosing organizations that could cater to their varying needs and purpose.



For example, you are on the hunt for a recycle old phones charity which focuses on helping women and children; there is a specific charity that buys and sells old phones in order to fund a rescue drive dedicated in saving women and girls at risk of domestic abuse. The point is you can find charities that possess a purpose that is almost identical to yours. That should often be the case because you want to donate to charities that will use your old belonging into something you truly resonate with. You can be confident that you have done the right thing and that your old phone did not waste. Not to mention the sense of fulfillment that you will feel afterward. 

There is a long list of charities that you can be a part of, but below are some of the renowned ones that collect and use old phones for a better cause:

Free Geek

Free Geek is a nonprofit organization that started in Portland and has expanded in Canada locations like Vancouver and Toronto. They accept almost everything that plugs in or uses electricity. They have public drop-off and collection bins outside their warehouse, where you can quickly stop by. They give out computers and other gadgets to individuals, especially K-12 students who lack the resources necessary to purchase one. Moreover, they are also known to provide internships and community classes to people inclined to digital skills. 

Recycle My Cell

This is a national industry initiative put together by the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association (CWTA) and other wireless manufacturers and service providers to raise awareness regarding the importance of mobile/phone recycling. Recycle My Cell accepts any devices regardless of the brand model, age, or condition. So you do not have to worry that your old phone will be rejected. They are also partners to the most prominent brands present in the industry, namely Blackberry, LG, Sony, and Samsung. 

Cell Phones for Soldiers

Two teenagers founded this organization in 2004 when a story of a soldier who reached an 8,000 USD phone bill while serving in Iraq caught their attention. They have since gathered 20 million devices and given away 400 million minutes of talk time to most men on duty overseas. The organization collects old phones, which they sell to recycling companies; then, they use the proceeds to buy long-distance calling cards for men and women in the military. They can also assist 5,000 veterans with another sub-project called Helping Heroes Home with emergency funding from the same method – phone recycling. 

Medic Mobile

Medic Mobile is also a nonprofit organization founded way back in 2010. With global health equity in mind, this organization recycles and refurbishes old phones and uses the proceeds as funds directed for medical workers worldwide. They specifically give out devices to help medical workers in any medical-related instances such as disease outbreaks, pregnancies, and emergencies. Speaking of health if you're looking to get a healthier looking skin check out this guide on vegan benefits for skin.



Frequently Asked Questions 

Let Abtron Assist You!

No doubt that recycling and donating are acts for the betterment of the majority. It is an essential move to use an old device that most people think is already useless, although you must still consider protecting your data upon helping other people. Abtron Computer Services is here to assist you in ensuring that your device is free of any potential data concerns before recycling and donation. We offer professional guidance on data destruction and IT asset disposal, so you will be worry-free in the entire time that you are working with a recycle old phones charity. Contact us today!