Tip of the Week – Old Cell Phones

Host Bee on Monday, February 5th, 2007

What should I do with my old cell phone?

My teenage daughter received a new cell phone for Christmas, and I was curious about what I could or should do with her old phone. As usual, I turned to Google and was amazed at what I found! For starters, it is estimated that 150 million retired cell phones are hiding out in drawers and desks. I wouldn’t be surprised if there are some in toy boxes too! Additionally, the EPA estimates that 130 million phones are improperly discarded each year, causing terrible environmental damage.

So what to do? There are literally hundreds of options, but in consideration of this website’s focus on the lives of women, I’d like to highlight two organizations who will turn our discards into lifelines!

Visit wirelessfoundation.org. This foundation uses donated old phones to benefit a number of charities. Within their website, “The Call to Protect” is directed specifically to victims of domestic violence. This organization takes your old phone and refurbishes and sells it, donating a portion of the profits to domestic violence foundations. Also, many phones are repurposed as lifelines for domestic violence victims. If the phone cannot be refurbished, they’ll dispose of it in an environmentally friendly way.
Visit recylceforbreastcancer.org. This organization accepts cell phones and many other items for recycling. Other items accepted include inkjet or laser jet cartridges, PDA’s, palm pilots, cameras and more. Proceeds from this site benefit national breast cancer foundations.

FREE mailing labels can be downloaded from both sites! Could this be any easier?? Don’t forget to deactivate your phone service and erase any personal information stored on your phone! Finally, give yourself a pat on the back for doing some good!