Where can I sell my old cell phone? Some options in the United States
If you bought a new cell phone and you don’t know what to do with the old one, we give you some options, no matter if it is damaged or no longer useful, there will always be a solution.
When buying a new cell phone, there will always be the question: What to do with the old one? Although the answer is not easy, we always have several options, such as selling it if it is still in good condition, but you can also give it to someone close to you, donate it or recycle it. Let’s talk about the options available in the United States.
And perhaps what we least think about when buying a new cell phone, is what to do with the old one, sometimes it may be in good condition, but we simply change it because we like a new model, and of course because we have the economic possibilities to do so.
Throwing it away is not an option, we tell you why
Regardless of the situation that led you to buy a new cell phone, the important thing is not to throw it away, because you can give it a new use, and if there is no remedy, the option is not to throw it in the landfill, as it represents a serious pollution to the environment.
And not only cell phones thrown in the trash represent a strong focus of pollution in the environment, it is also for the health of humans and animals, as the soil, water and air are contaminated with lead, mercury and arsenic, which contain cell phones.
You would also be putting your identity at risk if you decide to throw away your old cell phone. Once you have decided to throw it away, it is important that you delete all the personal information you have, as well as the applications you have downloaded and used on the device.
If you don’t do this, you put your identity at risk of being stolen, so throwing it away is never a good option.
That’s why we’re going to share some tips with you so you can give your cell phone a second chance.
Sell
If your old cell phone is still in good condition, the first option is to sell it, for that you can resort to various specialized sites such as: Gazelle, Glyde or Swappa. Also on Amazon, Best Buy, eBay and Craigslist. Check which is the best option and make your choice.
You must follow the instructions of each site to find out how much they will pay you for your cell phone.
You should take into account that the price depends on several factors such as the model, the popularity of the cell phone, the brand and the condition it is in.
The older the model is, the lower the price will be, as well as if the cell phone is damaged.
You can also sell it directly yourself, but it is recommended that you sell it to someone you know, whether a family member or friend, to avoid falling into fraud.
Donate
If you decide to donate it, you can do it to a non-profit organization, in the United States there are several, such as Cell Phones for Soldiers, which sends cell phones to the military stationed abroad.
All you have to do is go to the organization’s website and follow the instructions to send it by mail or deposit it in the place they indicate.
Another organization that receives cell phone donations is Medic Mobile, which supports health programs around the world, including Latin America.
The devices are sent to support health workers in various parts of the world. Medic Mobile not only receives cell phones, but also chargers, batteries and all kinds of cell phone accessories.
The 1Million Project organization is dedicated to recycle and resell the cell phones that were donated to them to finance Internet connectivity programs aimed at young people, so it is also a good option if you want to donate your cell phone to charitable causes.
Giving a gift to someone close to you
But if your plans do not include donating to charity, you can give your cell phone to a family member or close friend who can put it to good use.
Some people don’t need the latest model of cell phone to cover their basic needs, on the contrary, the more sophisticated the device is, the more complicated it is to use for certain groups of people.
You can give your old cell phone to your parents, siblings, children, nieces and nephews or any other family member you have who can put it to good use.
Convert it into another device
If the previous options still don’t convince you, you can put your creativity to the test and turn your cell phone into another device. Yes, you read that right, into another device, such as a remote control, music player or even a security camera.
All you have to do is clean your cell phone and download the applications to turn it into a remote control or a music player.
You can also give your cell phone a second chance if you use it only for video calls with some apps like WhatsApp, Meet, Zoom, without having to pay cell phone fees.
Recycle
If your cell phone is definitely no longer useful and your main concern is the care of the environment, the best option you have is to go to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which has a recycling program for mobile devices.
Visit the EPA’s official website where you will find all the instructions and a list of places where you can drop off your cell phone for recycling.
Whichever option you choose to dispose of your cell phone, it is important that you delete all your personal information and applications you have used.