Even if we all waited out the terms on our cell phones, that means every two years more than 200,000,000 cell phones are replaced (assuming two in three people have a cell phone). That's 548,000 cell phones "retired" every day! 22,800 every hour, and 380 every minute.



Where do all those cell phones go? Most, sadly, end up in the trash. And in the trash they create some of the worst kind of toxic legacy -- by one estimate each trashed cell phone pollutes up to 35,000 gallons of water. We just can't keep that kind of damage to our water table going on forever.

Some cell phones also get sold on eBay and many get used for parts. But some of them do get donated. Even without a service plan, any cell phone that works can be used to make a 911 call. That can make the difference between life and death for a senior living alone (or even living in a nursing home) or for a battered woman, or for someone who is disabled and lives alone. So while there are some charities that take cell phones as part of a cell phone program, if you want to keep your donation local, consider checking with local shelters to see if they will accept your cell phone.

Also, if your cell phone does not work, the five major wireless service providers all have cell phone recycling programs, so you can still keep your phone out of the landfill. And don't forget to reset your phone before you give it away, so all your call history and contact information is cleared from the phone's memory.

Here's a list of charities that accept donated phones and how each one works. You can get a tax deduction for your donated phone, but remember that you can only deduct the "fair market value" of the phone (which is basically what you could get for it if you sold it yourself), and you'll need to itemize your deductions on your tax return.

The Wireless Foundation - Donateaphone.com
The "Call to Protect" program lets you mail in your phone to CALL TO PROTECT, 2555 Bishop Circle West, Dexter, MI 48130. Your donation will go toward ending domestic violence and towards helping the environment. If you don't want to mail your phone in, they have over a hundred drop off locations across the United States

Cell Phones for Soldiers
This national organization has earned the highest review possible from the top-recognized charity evalutator, Charity Navigator. That 4 star rating has been held by Cell Phone for Soldiers for a number of reasons, but if you had to summarize it, because they do what they say they do, and they do it with the least possible amount of money spent on employee salaries and fundraising.

In fact, this charity was started on a measly $21 budget by Robbie and Brittany Bergquist, who were teenagers at the time. You can donate your phone online and print out a postage-paid shipping label, or you can drop your phone off in person at more than 40,000 locations across the US.

911cellphonebank.org
You can schedule a pick up of your cell phone through this group. Or you can print out a pre-paid mailing label, or drop your phone off at one of their drop off locations. Your phone will be given to someone who needs it for emergency calls, but phones that don't work are accepted too. They have given out more than 95,000 cell phones so far.

Wireless Recycling - Recellular.com
They accept phones, batteries, chargers and other items in addition to phones. You can print out a pre-paid mailing label from their website or leave your phone at over 40,000 drop off locations across the US.