The question has been asked: How exactly does a cell phone recycle transaction work, if a individual were independently recycling their phone and not just dropping it in a box? It’s easy to simply donate the phone to a charity, but of course, recycling it yourself allows you to direct the funds to any group you wish and as anonymously as you wish.
1) Examine your cell phone to note whether it is in working order or not. Some recyclers are looking for only working phones, or pay a premium for them. The reason? Some phones are not recycled into raw materials, but are refurbished and resold as reconditioned phones. Non-working phones are also accepted depending on desirability of the model. Note the condition – Like New, Normal Wear, etc.
2) When you find the best deal offered for your model, follow the company’s outlined procedure.
3) Carefully pack and mail your phone. Many providers waive the shipping fee by giving consumers a USPS/Fedex account number or generate a printable label. Some shipping methods include tracking, but many do not. If you have a phone that carries a high value, it is best to ship it on your own dime so that the package is guaranteed trackable.
4) After the quoted period, you will receive a check or vouchers in the mail or payment via PayPal, depending on the company’s terms. Payment time ranges from one to five business days from receipt of the phone, but times vary.
When you receive your check, remember your favorite charity. You can direct the funds to your favorite cause for whatever program you care about most.
I frequently visit a town now where there is a Leader Dogs organization. Every so once in awhile, you can see little fluffy “Leader Dogs in Training” walking around town in their bandannas.
Several organizations collect donations of gently new and used eyeglasses for distribution to those in need. Images of clinics in Africa or South America usually pepper the promotional materials. Sometimes a pair of glasses is the difference between someone being able to regain enough precision in their vision to land a job at a local factory or finally be able to use a computer or even write a letter. While I am all for reaching out around the world, I always thought that the benefit to people right within the United States, or even North America, fell through the gap.