How (and where) to Recycle Mobile Phones
The best way to prevent phone waste is to switch to a repairable smartphone. This means you get repair kits or can send phones off for repair (or redeem points for recycling old phones, when buying new ones).
Donate Unwanted Phones to Charity
Many small charities accept mobile phones (and other small electronic goods) for recycling. They can then sell them to companies to raise money for scrap metal etc.
Recycling for Good Causes lets you donate mobile phones to favourite causes (for medical charities, choose ones that help humane medical research):
This organisation can send a sack (free of charge) to recycle the following items once at 10 to 30kg weight, and arrange collection:
- Mobile phones
- Gadgets (Sat-Navs, Ipods, MP3 players, games consoles, games & accessories).
- Cameras (old film, digital and video)
- Jewellery & Watches (even if damaged or broken)
- Currency – Any coins or banknotes, UK & foreign
- Stamps (Loose, single, albums, first day covers, presentation packs)
Fill in the form or call 0800 633 5323.
Simpal is a charity that gives phones to people on low incomes. It accepts 4G working condition phones (no broken screens, with passwords and Google accounts removed, ideally factory reset).
You can also donate phones to Hubbub, just sign up for a Freepost envelope (phones are given to people on low incomes, with 12 months of free minutes). It will wipe iPhone or Androids (chargers not needed), the site has info on how to remove your Sim or Apple card.
Sell Unwanted Mobile Phones
You can send high-grade phones to these companies, in return for cash:
- Grade Mobile accepts phones, which they then clean of data (and fingerprints!), then sell refurbished at up to 60% of new price.
- Envirofone again buys quality refurbished phones (and tablets), then sells them at a fraction of high street prices, with 12-month warranties.
Phone Accessory Recycling Boxes
TerraCycle offers a recycling box for phone accessories (phone cases and screen protectors), which are sent off to make into industrial goods, like piping.
Some of this organisation’s boxes are free (sponsored by industry). This one isn’t, so costs £100 to £200, depending on size. But your community, office, school or council could pool money to buy one. When full, it’s sent off with the prepaid label, and a great way to get all phone waste out of your town forever.
