Many people buy a new cell phone every couple of years. Thousands of these old phones are dumped into our landfills and can leak toxins and harm the environment. Recycling your cell phone can help you to do your part to decrease the greenhouse effect and allow you to help to provide additional funding to some worthwhile organizations.



If your old cell phone is still in working order, you could donate it to charity. There are just a couple simple steps that you will want to do before you hand over your device. You should first terminate your service. You should then make sure that you erase your phone's memory that contains your contact information and other personal information. You should then remove the SIM card if you have a GMS network service. You can check with your service provider to find out if your phone has one of these cards. Your phone is now ready to be donated.

There are numerous locations that take old cell phones for donation to different charities and organizations. One such site accepts donated cell phones that are sold, refurbished, or recycled. The proceeds from these activities are donated to the Victims of Domestic Violence Nationwide. This organization provides financial support for battered women shelters and economic programs that are geared to enable the victims of domestic violence to be financially independent. It is a worthwhile cause that you can help by just turning in your old cell phone.

Another worthwhile organization that proceeds go to from recycled cell phones is known as “the Cell Phones for Soldiers” program. Donated phones are recycled or refurbished which in turn pays for thousands of prepaid phone cards that are then sent overseas to our soldiers in Iraq and numerous other areas of the world. These cards enable these military personnel to keep in contact with their loved ones at home. You cannot put a price on that.

If you are an animal activist, many zoos and organizations are using the proceeds from donated cell phones to protect endangered species. Reusing old cell phones can also protect the lowland gorilla directly due to the fact that coltan, one of the minerals that is used in the construction of cell phones, is mined in the habitat where these endangered animals live. A decrease in the need to mine this area will lessen man's encroachment into this gentle giant's home. Named after the renowned gorilla activist that was murdered as a result of her work, the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International has accepted thousands of dollars in proceeds from the world's largest zoos to use in the continuing struggle to protect these gorillas and to carry on Ms. Fossey's legacy.

The Jane Goodall Institute has also received proceeds for recycled cell phones. Ms. Goodall is also a renowned activist that has spent much of her life working with chimpanzees, the closest relatives of humans in the animal world. These creatures are also being threatened by the mining of coltan and the extra funding has been used to raise awareness of the chimps' dilemma. By simply donating a cell phone that you are no longer using, you can help these organizations protect these intelligent creatures as well as many others.

Recycling your old cell phone can is good for the environment. By choosing to utilize one of these organizations, you can also do your part to help a worthy cause.