Used cell phones are a commodity that constantly drop in value.  If your company supports any charity through cell phone recycling, the quicker you get them recycled, the more money you will raise for your charity.

Cell Phone Recycling Values are Always Dropping

Since we began Cells for Cells in 2007, it has happened 4 times:  In less than 30 days, a series of cell phones have lost more than 90 percent of their value. We are aware that this happens, but it is always shocking when it does.

This massive drop in value usually happens when a major carriers ends its support of a certain model or models of cell phones.

If you are one of the millions of Americans that have cell phone insurance – through your provider – chances are that you will be issued a refurbished cell phone if you are unlucky enough to run over or drop in a snow drift or have your dog eat your cell phone.

Most refurbished cell phones come from recycling programs just like Cells for Cells.  Cell phones are collected, the memory is flashed (cleared of data and new software installed), the phone is repaired or repainted, sold back to the carrier and then given to you through your insurance claim.

It really is an outstanding re-use model – just like the path that used-cars/pre-owned cars take.

And, today’s cell phone marketplace is flooding with iPhone copy-cats that have touch-screens, movie players and coffee makers (there’s an app for that).  So as more and more cell phones or communication devices come to the market, it becomes a never-ending cascade of diminishing values for the cell phones in the recycling world.  And if the recycling world is giving less to the recyclers; then the recyclers end up giving less to the charity.  That’s a bit of a bummer.

So what can you do today to make a difference?

Get your cell phones to your recycler today.  No matter what program you support – whether it is Cells for Cells or another worthy cause – timely recycling will create the maximum benefit your charity.

Additional Reading

8 tips for making mobile phone recycling easier

Recycling Used Cell Phones:  Yes, Even If Your Dog Chewed On It