Old Cell Phone Donations or Recycling

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.

In this Article

Donate your Phone

Many charities, schools, and community groups accept mobile phones that they can either give to the needy 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.”
• American Cell Phone Drive
  • The American Cell Phone Drive collects devices to distribute in communities across the nation. American Cell Phone Drive works with more than 4,000 organizations, the group says on its website.
• Cell4Pets
  • The non-profit organization 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.
• National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
  • The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) partners with Cellular Recycler to get phones into the hands of domestic abuse victims.
• Rainforest Connection
  • San Francisco-based startup Rainforest Connection has created a system using donated cell phones to alert villagers of illegal logging in foreign countries.
• Recycling for Charities
  • Recycling For Charities allows you to recycle cell phones and other electronics for cash and then donate the proceeds to a charity of your choice.
• 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.
• Veterans Advantage
  • Veterans Advantage’s Recycle & Reward campaign takes donated cell phones and sends them to needy veterans as part of their "Give the Gift of VetRewards" 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.

Recycle your Phone

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.
• The Fossey Fund
  • The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International works with zoos and has partnered with Eco-Cell to recycle cell phones. The proceeds go to animal conservation efforts.
• Smart Phone Recycling
  • SmartPhoneRecycling.com will pay you to recycle your phone and/or tablet.

Other Uses

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.