If you have an old cell phone, please consider donating or recycling it. There are many organizations that can put your phone to good use. Before donating or recycling, please remember to erase all your personal data.
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Many charities, schools, and community groups accept mobile phones that they can either give to those in need or refurbish and sell. NKU does not recommend any specific charity, but provides this alphabetical list of organizations as a resource.
- 911 Cell Phone Bank
- Facilitated by law enforcement agencies and support groups, 911 Cell Phone Bank’s gets phones to people who may need to dial 911 in an emergency. The organization’s website says, “Your device donations go to vulnerable residents across the country.”
- Cell4Pets
- Cell4Pets will take your donated phone, sell it and give a portion of the proceeds to a no-kill animal shelter.
- Cell Phones for Soldiers
- Cell Phones for Soldiers accepts mobile devices to give to active-duty members of the military as well as veterans.
- Goodwill
- Goodwill works with partners to collect and recycle phones.
- Medic Mobile
- Medic Mobile takes your donated cell phone and recycles it to fund health care programs in 26 countries around the world.
- Salvation Army
- Your local Salvation Army will take your donated cell phone. You can schedule a donation pickup online.
- Second Wave Recycling
- Second Wave Recycling works with charities to collect phones — working or non-working — for recycling.
- Secure the Call
- SecureTheCall.org distributes donated phones to agencies, companies, and institutions across the nation that redistribute the phones to individuals who are not only in need but also at a high risk for needing emergency services.
- We Salute
- We Salute’s Recycle & Reward campaign takes donated cell phones and uses the proceeds to support veterans as part of their "Give the Gift of WeSalute+" program.
- Women’s Resource Center
- The Women’s Resource Center takes donated phones and either refurbishes or recycles them and uses the proceeds for its programs.
There are several organizations that facilitate the recycling of old phones either for the environment or other causes. Here are some organizations that will recycle your cell phone.
- Best Buy
- Best Buy has a recycling program for old phones and other electronics. See your local Best Buy and find the recycling kiosk near the front door.
- Cellular Recycler
- Cellular Recycler, a non-profit organization that specializes in electronic trade-ins, makes it easy to send in your old phone. It also offers a Collection Kit for organizations interested in holding trade-in fundraisers.
- Gorillas on the Line
- Gorillas on the Line is a conservation program run by Zoo Atlanta. Proceeds from devices donated will be equally distributed through AZA SAFE Gorilla to support the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, Wildlife Conservation Society – Nigeria, and GRACE Gorillas in the protection of Grauer’s gorillas and Cross River gorillas.
- Smart Phone Recycling
- SmartPhoneRecycling.com will pay you to recycle your phone and/or tablet.
An old cell phone can be added to an emergency kit. All wireless phones, even those that are not subscribed to or supported by a specific carrier, are required to be able to call 911.