How to Donate Old Cell Phones

Cell phones are a constantly changing and growing industry therefore leads to a large amount of waste. Disposing of cell phones makes up 65,000 tons of waste each year. This is toxic waste and contains harmful lead, mercury, cadmium, flame retardants, and arsenic. Rotting in a landfill is bad enough, but should these cell phones be rotting away in the home? There are several ways to get rid of cell phones by donating them.

Locate your local battered women's shelter. Although the address is not easily made available, many shelters can be reached by phone. Not only can their phone number be found in the local yellow pages, but a program for donations to the shelter may be in place at a remote location. Donating to a women who has experienced domestic violence is a great way to increase her chances of staying safe from her abuser. Many women have children they take with them into hiding and a cell phone is often priceless to them. A providers plan is not necessary for a 911 call on a cell phone. Donating a cell phone could save a life. A National program where a cell phone may be mailed to for donation is listed on this website The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence

Another option to donate a used cell phone is to a local senior citizen community. Whether it is a residence or town facility, many accept good condition cell phone to distribute to their elderly members. Once again the benefit is that 911 does not require a provider plan to be accessed. Many home bound senior citizens are on a tight budget and a donated cell phone will provide emergency contact service they may otherwise not have.

Another great way to donate a cell phone for is to the organization Cell Phones for Soldiers. Their website http://www.cellphonesforsoldie rs.com/shippingLabel_generic.h tml provide complete directions on how to donate an old cell phone to a soldier in the US military. This service helps soldiers away from their families with refurbished cell phones to keep in contact with their loved ones. The website even includes software to help erase any old data on the cell phone. If mailing the cell phone in is not the most convenient, there are 40,000 drop off locations listed on the website.

If an specific organization is not easily accessible, simply visit the website http://www.911cellphonebank. This organization allows a donation by mail with a pre-paid mailing label or at a drop-off locations. School children are encouraged to participate & are offered $50 for every 250 cell phones donated. By making it a community project, children can learn how to be charitable & how to protect their enviorment.