What do you do with old cell phones?

[nuzmom]

We have several old cell phones (the newest one about 2 years old, the oldest about 4/5 years old). Originally, I thought about listing them on ebay, but they're probably not even going to sell, so I'm not going that route.

What do you do with yours?

Can they be donated somewhere?

This may not be a "budget board" topic, but if they can be sold or used for tax write-off, it's sort of "budget" like???

 

[Michelina]

I know that women's shelters are often looking for old cell phones.

 

[Disneefun]

We have several places around here that will accept them as donations -- most notably a battered womens shelter that gives them to women who may not have a "home" any longer but still need a way to get in touch with people, look for jobs, keep safe, or be contacted by their kids. Call around your local area -- I'm sure there are groups that would love to have your phones.

 

[kandeebunny]

most womens shelters will take them call your local town/city hall and ask. You CANNOT throw them out due to chemicals.

 

[wdw_dine_junkie]

I could have sworn I heard something on the radio about if you turn in an old cell phone, a phone card is donated to the soldiers to call home from overseas. I'll see if I can try and find out more, that's a great cause!

 

[Melissa M]

www.cellforcash.com

I've used them twice. I received $5.00 for an old dinosaur of a phone and $30.00 for my last phone.

 

[disney4me4ever]

Don't know if you live near The Body Shop store, but we have one in our local mall and they take donations of old cell phones. They then donate them to women's shelters (for domestic violence victims).

Nancy

 

[Tamie]

The women's shelter around here also use them, I would try calling the local police department and ask them, they might know since most women shelter are not advertised. Even if a phone is no longer in service, they are still able to dial 911. I think that it is a great way to help out.

 

[Wendy*Darling]

We donate to a women's shelter as well. As long as the battery is charged on a cell phone you can call 911 with it, even if it doesn't have activated service at the time. So they give them to women who may have come in looking for help but who decide (for whatever reason) to go back home. That way they have a "secret" phone they can call 911 with if need be.

 

[GoldenOldie]

Many recycling centers will accept cell phones. Often towns have special hazardous chemical recycling during which they will accept things like cell phones, used batteries, paints, etc.

 

[Earstou]

In Topeka, Kansas you can turn your old phones in to the Capital Area Autism and Asperger's Resource Center. They are using this as a fundraiser.
I'm probably the only person anywhere near Topeka, but I thought I would throw that out anyway!!!

 

[Patsfan7]

Hi!
Our cingular office takes them, and I saw a drop bin at Staples when I was there about a month ago. (I even see them as parts on Ebay????) Good Luck.

 

[daisy_77]

Put in a search engine like cash for used cell phones. There are companies willing to give$$ for cell phones

 

[pediatric-rnp]

Verizon also has a bin for old cell phones -they are then donated to battered women.
Also, most police depts can direct you where to donate them for the women. That's what we have always done, and the police have been very grateful, and asked us to spread the word about the program.

 

[SueM in MN]

We've taken ours to the Verizon store in the past. They donate the phones to battered women's shelters.

 

[allforpooh]

We take ours to a Liberty Tax Service office, they are collecting the phones for a group that then cashes them in and buys Phone Cards for Soldiers in Iraq.

Denise

 

[daisy_77]

bump

 

[daisy_77]

bump!

 

[CajunGirl2]

You may want to consider hanging on to 1 phone if it's a phone from your current provider. I just had a "mishap" with my cell phone and ruined it. It's very expensive to buy a new one unless you want to extend your contract. DH was not willing to extend our contract. So, I resorted to looking on ebay for a comparable replacement. I was shocked that phones that weren't in as good of a condition as mine were easily going for $50 (most were $75)! Luckily, someone I work with had an old phone and was willing to give it to me.

 

[grimgrningghost]

I've heard (but never tested) that unactivated cell phones can still call 911 so you might want to leave them in a vehicle or with your kids in case of an emergency.