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Innovative Ways to Give Your Old Phone a Fresh Purpose
The possibilities for reusing it are endless, and in some places, it might be illegal to throw it in the trash
If you're like many Americans, you probably upgrade your smartphone every 2-3 years. But then, what do you do with your old phone? Many people trade their phones in, but others just tuck them in a drawer and eventually then end up in a landfill somewhere.
That contributes to electronic waste, which is estimated to reach about 60 trillion metric tons this year. There has to be a better way, right? There is. You could repurpose, recycle, or donate your old phone to keep it out of a landfill.
"Finding alternative uses for our old devices helps to reduce the growing electronic waste crisis and in the process can also provide a really great use for your phone," Sarah McConomy, the COO of SellCell, wrote in an email to Lifewire.
Reuse Your Old Phone
With new versions of your favorite smartphone brand being released every year, it's easy to find yourself with a drawer full of old phones that you have no idea what to do with. Just don't throw them away.
In some states, it might even be illegal to toss it in the trash (though, we're thinking there aren't police out there checking your trash to make sure you didn't toss out an old cellphone). Regardless, adding your old phone or any old electronics to a landfill is a bad idea.
Instead, it makes far more sense to give your old phone a new life as something more useful. Here are a few ideas:
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Security Camera: Newer phones might have the ability to detect sounds such as a baby crying, cat meowing, or a knock. And with the right apps—like Alfred—installed, you can set the phone up to alert you when such things are indicated.
- Baby Monitors: I have a friend who uses an old cellphone as a baby monitor when she's traveling. She sets it up, starts a video conference call with her current phone, and then can go about her business, knowing she'll be alerted to even the softest snores.
- GPS: GPS apps are known to drain your phone’s battery, so using an old phone as a GPS could increase your primary phone’s lifespan.
- Keep the Kids Happy: My daughter has an old smartphone that she keeps around to occupy the kids when they're in the car or out in public, and the kids get restless. She's locked it down and is able to hotspot off her current phone to stream music, games, and videos for those "crunch" moments when nothing else works.
- Personal Entertainment Device: Why drain the battery on the phone you use all the time for things like streaming, reading ebooks, or listening to music? Instead, repurpose your old cellphone into an entertainment device and save the wear and tear on that new iPhone you just got. It can also help you disconnect when you don't want all that intruding on your time.
Related: How Often Should You Upgrade Your Phone?
Recycle Old Phones for Cash
Any of the above uses is better than throwing out an older smartphone since electronic waste (e-waste) is highly hazardous to the environment.
Rather than contributing to e-waste, consider recycling your old phone. Lots of places—Best Buy is a good example—have recycling programs, but there are also a few places where you can get cash for your old device.
Expert Tip: Note
Keep in mind that not all phone manufacturers are accepted by 'cash for phones' companies. They generally trade in very few brands, including the most popular ones like iPhone, Samsung, Google, and OnePlus.
SellCell is one such place that connects buyers to sellers. Using their software, you can connect to a verified buyer who is interested in your device. Prices vary by model, and you won't get paid instantly, but it's one way to ensure you have no part of an old phone winding up in a landfill.
Another option is ecoATM. You'll find these ATM-like machines near places like Walmart, Dollar General, Kroger, and shopping malls. It works like an ATM machine. You take your phone to the ATM, answer some questions on the screen, deposit your phone, and get cash in return.
Donate Old Phone
If reusing or recycling your old phone isn't an option, then there's always the option to donate it. Plenty of organizations like Cell Phones for Soldiers, Medic, and Ecocell will take your old phone and either pass it on to someone who needs it or resell it to raise money to go toward helping others. It's an easy way to do a little good.
