16 ways to recycle your cell phone

The average lifespan of a cell phone is about 18 months - which, when measured against the number of cell phone users in North America, means that up to 130 million of them are tossed into the waste stream every year. Cell phones contain highly toxic materials that can pollute the air and leach into groundwater, including lead, mercury, beryllium, arsenic, cadmium and antimony.

Recycling old phones conserves natural resources and reduces the environmental impacts of resource extraction. It prevents toxic substances from getting into the soil, water and air and reduces the amount of waste we produce.

But did you know that recycling your old cell phone can also help your community and the planet? Support gorilla conservation in Africa, raise funds for local food banks or plant a few trees with our 16 suggestions for keeping old phones out of the trash.

1. thINK FOOD: Phones for Food
   The mission of the thINK FOOD: Phones-for-Food project is to alleviate hunger and divert waste from landfill sites by raising funds for local food banks through the process of recycling used printer cartridges and cell phones. Local food banks benefit and harmful waste is diverted from the garbage every time someone recycles their used cell phone. Find a drop-off location near you or set up a collection site in your workplace or school.
2. Toronto Zoo
   ECO-CELL and the Toronto Zoo collaborate with over 90 other zoos, aquariums and wildlife institutions to educate visitors and the public about the significant negative effects of the cell phone industry on wildlife, particularly on gorillas and gorilla habitats. All funds generated by the project are donated to gorilla conservation programs in Africa. For each cell phone recycled, ECOCELL donates a minimum of 45 cents and a maximum of $15 to the Toronto Zoo’s Endangered Species Recovery Fund (ESRF). ESRF funds from the ECOCELL program are used to support in situ gorilla conservation programs and projects in Africa. Drop off your old cell phone on your next visit, or mail it to: Toronto Zoo - Cell Phone Recycling Program, c/o Curator of Conservation Programs, 361A Old Finch Avenue, Scarborough, ON M1B 5K7.
3. Apple
   Apple will recycle any iPod or cell phone (regardless of make or model). Drop off unwanted devices at an Apple retail store or mail them in.
4. Accu-Shred
   Many cell phones and BlackBerrys contain extremely proprietary information that if not properly handled can be detrimental. Accu-Shred specializes in secure destruction and as a result, all cell phones and PDAs are destroyed by shredding and raw materials are fully recycled and diverted from landfill. Go here for more info.
5. Pitch-In Canada’s National Cell Phone Collection Program
   Pitch-In Canada refurbishes reusable phones and sends them to areas of the world where there are no land lines or where the cost of a new phone is prohibitive. Some phones are donated to shelters for abused adults and children and others are provided to medical patients awaiting organ transplants. Collected phones that are not reusable are broken down for the recovery of various metals including nickel, cadmium and lead for reuse in new products.
6. Project Redial
   The Canadian Diabetes Association and PhoneBack Canada created Project Redial to promote the recovery, recycling and reuse of mobile, wireless and cell phone handsets. Individuals can donate their used cell phones by simply dropping them off at any Canadian Diabetes Association office, participating Value Village stores or through the association’s Clothesline program. Collected cell phones are then refurbished or remanufactured and sent to developing and emerging countries. The phones may also be provided (at no cost) to Canadians in situations where there is an economic necessity for safety and communication, or supplied to patients awaiting organ transplants. All proceeds from the collected phones are used by the Canadian Diabetes Association to fund diabetes research, education, service and advocacy. To find the location nearest you, call 1.800.505.5525. You can also have your old cell phone(s) collected through the Clothesline program by calling and arranging for a free pick up when donating clothes and other household items.
7. YWCA Toronto
   Help YWCA Toronto raise funds by donating used cell phones with batteries for recycling. Every used cell phone and battery donated earns money. Ask around, start with family and friends, then expand to co-workers, associates and more. All cell phones should be packed well and delivered to: Cell Phone Recycling Program, c/o YWCA Toronto, 80 Woodlawn Ave. East, Toronto, ON M4T1C1. For more information, call 416.961.8101 ext. 318.
8. Recycle for Education
   Customers can drop off old cell phones, rechargeable batteries and ink and toner cartridges throughout the year at any Staples Business Depot location across the country. For the past three years, Staples has been giving one dollar for every eligible ink cartridge collected back to registered local schools across Canada.
9. Call2Recycle
   Through Call2Recycle, the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC) can help you recycle used portable rechargeable batteries and old cell phones. RBRC is dedicated to keeping rechargeable batteries and cell phones out of the solid waste stream and preserving natural resources. Drop off boxes can be found at Sears, Canadian Tire and Circuit City and other collection sites. Send in your old cell phone(s) and a donation will be made to charity.
10. TELUS
    Clients can drop off old phones and accessories at hundreds of participating TELUS Mobility stores and dealers across Canada. Old phones are divided into two categories for reuse or recycle. Equipment that cannot be reused is broken down into its various components and recycled in a responsible manner.
11. Bell Canada
    Through Bell’s Mobile Take-Back program, you can return used mobile phones from all manufacturers to any Bell store or ship it by Canada Post free of charge. For each unit collected, Bell will donate $1 to World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Canada to help finance projects focused on fighting climate change.
12. Think Recycle
    Think Recycle is a free print cartridge and cell phone recycling program that allows you to earn money while helping the environment. Think Recycle donates money to Tree Canada and American Forests to sponsor the planting of trees on your behalf. Trees are planted in local, regional and national communities as part of their efforts promote the educational value of tree planting and maintenance.
13. Best Buy/Future Shop
    Best Buy and Future Shop stores in Canada offer boxes for customers to recycle seven different types of electronics at no charge, including cell phones. The program is in partnership with Greentec, a recycling service provider from Ontario.
14. Office Depot
    In partnership with the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC), Office Depot collects used phones and rechargeable batteries for recycling at all locations in Canada. All rechargeable batteries collected are recycled in a state-of-the art metals reclamation facility in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, with no byproducts sent to a landfill. Cell phones are refurbished, recycled or resold when possible. A portion of the proceeds received from the resale benefits select charities.
15. Freecycle Network
    The Freecycle Network is a clearinghouse for everything related to keeping junk out of landfills. Find the nearest of its 4,218 groups for local ideas about cell phone recycling.
16. Make a few bucks
    Cell phones have value. Make some money for yourself by selling your cell phone online with greenphone.com or recellulartradein.com.