Many places take old phones and computer parts. Old phones are used to allow battered women to call 911 in the event of an emergency. The old batteries in them are recycled and disposed of properly. When this happens we don't need to worry about what leaches into our drinking water. Old computer parts are broken down and melted and used to make other parts. Sometimes there are parts that can be saved and added to another computer.
I'd really love for my Grandson to grow up knowing his world is taken care of. It would be wonderful to know that people think ahead and decide the future now rather than when it is too late. So be sure you ask about recycling at the plant or through your public information centers. Oh, and take those old batteries you have been saving and dispose of them properly while you are at it! It is all of our business to know our Earth is free and clean.
By gem from VA
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When I have attempted to recycle my computer I have been given a run around, from asking all kinds of questions about the computer, to then asking me to remove certain hardware. It's so daunting that I don't do it. I'm not alone since my neighbors have all agreed that if we knew where we could take our computers we would. As for cell phones? Just like with the computers. It always helps to mention specifically where to donate. Everyone wants to do the right thing, but it's knowing where or how that is important.
FYI
Computers - you can donate them to colleges, community colleges, boys and girls clubs and some churches. They use broken as well as working PCs to teach students of all ages about using, fixing and taking care of PCs. They also use them for teaching the students trying to get their ACSE certification. If a school in your area offers the class talk to the instructor. Just make some calls to places in your area.
Cellphones - Can be donated to alot of people Like the person mentioned below, the cell phones are given to battered women to call 911. YOU should know, an old phone without a plan can still be used to call 911 as long as it is charged and would normally work. These are great to have in spare vehicles that you may drive when not carrying your own phone or for an older person who is not part of the "cell" age craze.
Old cell phones (as well as old eye glasses) are collected by some social clubs and redistributed/recycled through their offices. Social clubs = Knights of Pythious, Jaycees, Kiwanis, Knights of Columbus, etc.
I know this isn't a phone or computer but I stopped at our landfill to ask where to recycle a microwave and the girl told me to bring it there and it would cost 30 dollars but if it would fit inside of my dumpster they would take it as regular trash. I said I would pay the 30 dollars to have it disposed of properly then she told me they were disposed of exactly the same way. That disturbed me, as most people think they are paying to dispose of toxic materials but it is thrown in the landfill anyway! How do we know what actually happens to the stuff we recycle?
Where is this "many places"?
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We have cell phones we want to donate, but can't figure out how to get our phone number out of them. We have removed all text messages and contacts. But we need to know how to reset the phone to the factory setting so our number (still current) doesn't show up in the information tab. We have a variety of phones. Thanks.
By Pghgirl40 from Pittsburgh, PA
Bravo to you for your desire to keep old cell phones out of the landfill! I'd suggest you talk to your cell phone store. They'll know exactly how to restore the phones' factory settings. Then you can do with them as you like: sell them on Ebay or craigslist or whatever, recycle them through your cell phone store, or give them to any charity that gives them to those in need. In our area, the battered women's shelter gives them to women so they can use them to dial 911 in a pinch. (08/29/2009)
When you finally decide to get a newer model cell phone, you can donate the old one to your local women's shelter. They give the phones to their tenants to use the phone to make free 911 calls. The cell phone doesn't have to be connected to a service. Just make sure you erase all of your phone numbers and info before you give it away.
The business you purchase your new cell phone from probably would be familiar with this. My son works for Cingular and he took my old cell phone to be donated to our women's shelter. I feel less guilty now, since I don't have to throw my perfectly good (but outdated) cell phone in the trash.
Dawn from TX
I am so happy to see you posted this. Especially now since the advertisements on TV are telling you to recycle like batteries. I have given my mom one for 911 calls and the rest go to shelters. I did give one to my parrot to beat up. He hates it when I am on the phone so I took the battery out first and then he beat the heck out of it. When he's mad he throws it around, chewed all the buttons off first. But that is the only one I have wasted. For the few dollars you get to sell one, I would rather try to save someone's life and give to the shelter. As with old eye glasses, donate at your eye doctor for the less fortunate. (08/04/2005)
At A T and T they have a box to put your old cell phones in and they refurbish them and send them to soldiers overseas with minutes put on them. I am not sure how many minutes are put on them though. That is what I do with mine and my kid's phones. They even take the broken ones and fix them. (01/16/2009)
By Pam
I sell my old phones on eBay. Many recyclers are desperate for parts and they are thrilled to get their hands on a broken phone. Barb (03/16/2009)
