If you’re wondering what to do with old cell phones, you’re not alone. Millions of devices are retired each year, often left in drawers or tossed out with household trash. But these small pieces of technology carry big consequences for the environment, for safety, and for communities that could benefit from them. Whether your old phone still works or is no longer usable, there are responsible ways to give it a second life. Reusing, recycling, or donating your device can reduce waste, protect the planet, and even support veterans and military families in need.
Why You Shouldn’t Just Throw Away Old Cell Phones
Tossing an old cell phone in the trash might seem convenient, but it can have serious environmental and health consequences. Cell phones contain toxic substances like lead, mercury, and cadmium, which can seep into soil and water when dumped in landfills. These materials pose long-term risks to ecosystems and human health. In addition, lithium-ion batteries in phones are known to spark fires in waste management facilities when improperly handled or crushed.
This growing stream of discarded electronics (known as e-waste) is a major global concern. Throwing away old devices not only wastes valuable materials, it also contributes to pollution and unsafe working conditions in areas where e-waste is processed. Fortunately, there are safer, more impactful alternatives. Recycling, repurposing, or donating your phone can help reduce harm, recover resources, and support meaningful causes.
Toxic Components of Phones
Smartphones may be compact, but they are made of a wide range of materials, with dozens of metals you’ll find on the periodic table. These elements are essential to the function of electronic devices, especially in batteries, circuit boards, screens, and speakers.
Lithium, cobalt, and nickel are commonly used in rechargeable batteries and are critical for power storage. However, they can be highly reactive and dangerous if not properly handled during disposal. Screens and soldering materials often contain lead, cadmium, and mercury, all of which are toxic to humans and wildlife. Even the speakers and vibration units inside phones rely on rare earth elements like neodymium, praseodymium, and gadolinium materials that are difficult to mine and even harder to recover once discarded.According to EPA.gov, “electronic products may contain hazardous substances including lead, mercury, cadmium, and lithium. If not properly handled, these materials can harm human health and the environment.” This is why it’s critical to treat old phones as electronic waste, not household trash.
The Problem of E-Waste
Electronic waste is one of the fastest-growing waste streams worldwide. In 2022 alone, an estimated 62 million tonnes of e-waste were produced globally, yet only 22.3% was formally collected and recycled. That means most discarded electronics (phones included) end up in landfills, informal recycling operations, or illegal exports, where they pose serious health and environmental risks.
Improperly discarded phones contribute directly to this problem. When thrown in the trash or left to deteriorate, their toxic components can leak into the environment, and valuable materials like gold, copper, and rare earth metals are lost forever. The scale of the issue can feel overwhelming, but there are real ways to make a difference.
At Cell Phones For Soldiers (CPFS), we have already recycled more than 25 million cell phones, preventing them from becoming harmful waste. This impact shows that individuals can play a meaningful role in addressing e-waste. By making the simple choice to recycle, repurpose, or donate your old devices, you become part of a larger solution that protects the planet and supports people in need.
Coming up, we’ll explore how you can take action through recycling, home repurposing, and donating to a cause that gives back.
Best Option: Donate Your Old Phone
Of all the things you can do with an old phone, donation is one of the most powerful. When you donate a device to CPFS, you’re not only keeping toxic materials out of landfills, you’re helping connect veterans and active-duty military members with the services they need most. Your old phone can become a lifeline.
Why Donation Matters
Donating your phone to us supports a wide range of veteran and military programs that make a real difference in people’s lives. Each phone helps fund or directly supply services that go beyond communication.
- Minutes That Matter has provided more than 400 million minutes of talk time to deployed troops, allowing them to stay connected with loved ones.
- Through CPFS Mobile, donated devices and proceeds help provide veterans with a phone and one year of free wireless service. An essential resource for job hunting, healthcare access, and reconnecting with support networks.
- The Helping Heroes Home® program offers emergency financial assistance to veterans in crisis, addressing critical needs like housing, transportation, and medical care.
The impact is real, and it’s personal. One testimonial from a program recipient shares, “Cell Phones For Soldiers is a great organization that helps military families feel like they’re not forgotten.” Donations like yours make that possible.
How the Donation Process Works
If you’re figuring out what to do with old cell phones and want to ensure they make a meaningful impact, the donation process through CPFS is simple and secure. Whether you have one phone or a box full of retired devices, there’s a clear path to giving them a second life.
Start by finding one of our 3,000+ drop-off locations nationwide, where you can leave your old phone for collection. If you’re donating 10 or more devices, you can also request a prepaid shipping label. For smaller donations, we welcome self-paid shipments sent directly to our facility.
Once we receive your phone, it is professionally wiped of personal data. Depending on its condition, it is either refurbished for resale through our partner, Vendidit, or responsibly recycled for parts and materials. Proceeds from every phone support our programs for active-duty service members and veterans, from talk time and phones to emergency assistance.
We accept nearly all types of cell phones (working or broken) as well as tablets, chargers, and accessories in their original packaging. We do not accept laptops or loose accessories without packaging.
Donating is one of the easiest and most rewarding answers to the question of what to do with old cell phones. You’re not only reducing electronic waste but also supporting people who have served our country.
What You Can and Can’t Donate
Before donating, it’s helpful to know which devices and accessories are accepted. We welcome a wide variety of electronics, even if they’re no longer working.
You can donate:
- Cell phones and smartphones, working or broken
- iPads, tablets, and MP3 players
- Chargers for phones or tablets (in original packaging)
- Accessories like phone cases (must be unopened)
We cannot accept:
- Laptops or desktop computers
- Accessories not in their original packaging
When deciding what to do with old cell phones and related gear, checking these donation guidelines ensures your items can be processed responsibly and put to good use.
Find a Drop-Off Location Near You
With over 3,000 locations nationwide, it’s easy to donate your phone locally. Just visit our donate page to search for a drop-off point near you. Most drop-offs are located at convenient places like wireless stores, offices, or schools participating in the program.
If a local drop-off isn’t available or you’re donating a larger number of phones, you can also ship your items directly to us. We provide a prepaid shipping label for donations of 10 or more devices, or you can use your own label for smaller packages.Still have questions? Our FAQs cover everything from shipping instructions to tax-deductible receipts.
How to Wipe and Prepare Your Phone Before Donating
Donating your phone is safe and simple, but it’s important to prepare it properly before you send it in. Follow these steps to make sure your data is protected and the device is ready for processing:
- Back up your data to cloud storage or a computer
- Remove your SIM card and any microSD memory cards
- Turn off any lock features such as Find My iPhone or Google account protections
- Perform a factory reset to erase your personal information
- Package the phone securely for drop-off or shipping
Once your phone arrives at our facility, we perform a final data wipe that meets Department of Defense standards. For more detailed instructions, visit our guide on how to dispose of old cell phones.
Host a Community Drive and Multiply Your Impact
Looking for more ways to make a difference beyond your own donation? Hosting a community drive is a powerful way to get others involved and amplify your impact. Schools, libraries, places of worship, and local businesses are all great settings for organizing a group collection.
When you host a drive, you raise awareness about what to do with old cell phones and help prevent hundreds of devices from ending up in landfills. CPFS offers resources to help you get started, including promotional materials, shipping instructions, and support for processing bulk donations.
Whether you’re exploring volunteer opportunities or organizing a community drive through your workplace, student group, or local network, we’ll support your efforts every step of the way.
Other Smart Things to Do With Old Cell Phones
Donating your phone is one of the best ways to give it purpose, but it’s not the only option. If you’re still deciding what to do with old cell phones, consider repurposing them for everyday use at home. Many older smartphones still have functional hardware and can serve useful roles with a few simple tweaks.
Repurpose at Home
Here are a few creative ways to breathe new life into an old device:
- Security camera: Use apps that turn old phones into Wi-Fi-enabled monitoring devices.
- Music player: Free up space on your main phone by loading music onto an older one.
- eReader: Transform the phone into a dedicated reading device for books, PDFs, or news.
- GPS device: Keep one in your car for navigation without draining your main phone battery.
- Digital photo frame: Display a rotating gallery of your favorite pictures on your desk or shelf.
For more creative and detailed ideas, check out our full guide on repurposing your old iPhones and smartphones at home.
What About Selling or Trading It In?
If you’re still deciding what to do with an old cell phone, you might be weighing your options. Selling, trading in, or repurposing a device can all be worthwhile, but not every method creates the same kind of impact. Here’s a quick comparison:
| Option | Benefit | Drawback |
|---|---|---|
| Sell | Small cash return | Takes time; may require listing and negotiation |
Trade-in | Store credit toward a new device | Not all phones are eligible for trade-in |
Repurpose | Saves money by reusing what you already own | Often overlooked or underutilized |
Donate to CPFS | Helps veterans, reduces e-waste, supports programs | No monetary return for the donor |
While all options have value, donating your device to CPFS is one of the most impactful. It not only prevents your phone from contributing to e-waste, but it also supports veterans and active-duty service members with essential communication tools and emergency assistance. When you donate, your old phone becomes more than just recycled; it becomes part of a solution.
What to Do With Old Cell Phone Batteries
Old lithium-ion batteries should never be thrown in the trash. These batteries can spark fires in garbage trucks, landfills, and recycling centers, often causing serious damage and safety hazards. In fact, many battery-related fires are caused by phones and other personal electronics.
To dispose of old cell phone batteries safely, look for certified battery recycling programs in your area. Many hardware stores and municipal facilities accept them. You can also use the Earth911 locator to find a drop-off site near you.
Proper battery disposal is an important step in handling e-waste responsibly and safely.
One Small Device, One Huge Difference
Your old phone may seem like clutter, but it holds the power to change lives. When you donate it to Cell Phones For Soldiers, you help keep hazardous e-waste out of landfills and give veterans and deployed service members the tools they need to stay connected to family, access resources, and rebuild their lives.
Every device you recycle or donate supports real people and real programs. It’s a simple action that makes a lasting impact, both for the planet and for those who’ve served.
Donate your phone today and be part of something bigger!
