My wife and I have a number of old cellphones that we no longer use and would like to donate or throw away. These range from old flip phones to a couple of 2010 smart phones. Some have battery chargers and some I doubt I could find the original charger if it even still exists here in the house somewhere.We don’t mind donating the phones if some outfit can truly make use of them but our concern is how to make absolutely sure our personal data is erased from the phone permanently?Thanks

Other than as a childrens toy, there is no use for such old phones - despite advertisements and promotions to the contrary. Snap the flip phones in half and run the flat ones over with your rig. Then toss them in to the closest recycling bin. The only value they have are trace amounts of precious metals.

If you are a Verizon subscriber, they taken em, repair and go through them and recycle to non-profits.

Most Target stores have an electronics recycling bin for items like phones, ipods and MP3 players. If you are concerned about personal data and the old phone powers up, do a factory reset on the phone to clear the memory.

Goodwill (at least in our area) will take any electronic device, including televisions, and either resell or recycle.

Delete all your call information.Many locals use the phones for charities. You would need to check in your area.

How do you safely dispose of old cellphones? | Good Sam Community

18 Replies

Fizz
Explorer
Aug 14, 2015
Up here all carriers let you access 911 no matter what phone you have.
Some charities hand out old donated phones to people who can't afford cell phones but want the security of having 911 available.
TomG2
Explorer
Aug 14, 2015
There are a couple of online outfits that will buy phones. I doubt that they will pay much for the older ones.
MrWizard
Moderator
Aug 14, 2015
i do a factory reset
donate to the Veterans charity
enblethen
Nomad
Aug 14, 2015
Delete all your call information.
Many locals use the phones for charities. You would need to check in your area.
Seattle_Steve
Explorer
Aug 14, 2015
Goodwill (at least in our area) will take any electronic device, including televisions, and either resell or recycle.
Iraqvet05
Explorer
Aug 14, 2015
Most Target stores have an electronics recycling bin for items like phones, ipods and MP3 players. If you are concerned about personal data and the old phone powers up, do a factory reset on the phone to clear the memory.
dtappy3353
Explorer
Aug 14, 2015
If you are a Verizon subscriber, they taken em, repair and go through them and recycle to non-profits.
GordonThree
Explorer
Aug 14, 2015
Other than as a childrens toy, there is no use for such old phones - despite advertisements and promotions to the contrary. Snap the flip phones in half and run the flat ones over with your rig. Then toss them in to the closest recycling bin. The only value they have are trace amounts of precious metals.

Forum Discussion

How do you safely dispose of old cellphones?

18 Replies

About RV Must Haves

Related Content

Back before cellphones

Cellphone boosters

Garbage disposal?

Waist disposal hose

Gas disposal