New Life for Old Phones: Save a Buck - AARP Bulletin

New Life for Old Phones

Some 130 million mobile phones are discarded each year, and since they contain toxins such as arsenic and lead, it makes sense to keep them out of landfills. But you can also get dollars for old, working models when it’s time to renew your cellular phone service contract and get a new phone. pays you by check, or via PayPal or Obopay—your choice. Simply click on the make and model of your old phone, and you’re told what it’s worth. Then print out a free mailing label, send it off and you’ll get paid within about 30 days. is another such service, but it doesn’t provide free shipping. It does, however, accept old iPods in working order. offers free FedEx shipping but doesn’t accept iPods. Those services typically pay $10 to $20 for most models. Since they ship around the globe, be sure to erase all numbers and other information on your phone before sending it. Meanwhile, there’s also eBay’s , where you can sell all types of electronics for PayPal cash. For the more altruistic, there are many charities that accept old cellphones—with no payment to you—including: • , which provides a tax credit for your donation. It sponsors numerous charities. • , started by a brother-sister team (then 12 and 13) to collect phones so soldiers can make overseas calls to home. • program, which provides phones to children of single-parent families. • initiative, which provides cellphones to victims of domestic abuse. Sid Kirchheimer is the author of Scam-Proof Your Life (AARP Books/Sterling). Cancel You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Cancel Offer Details Disclosures

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