Give Your Old Cell Phone a New Lease on Life!

I don't know about you, but I have at least 3 or 4 old cell phones cluttering up a dresser drawer. The problem is only getting worse now that we can switch service providers and keep our same phone numbers. You usually have to buy a new phone. Seth Heine, President of Collective Good, runs a website that lists charities who need phones. Many are reused in developing countries. The group also recycles phones for their parts, keeping toxic materials like Mercury and Cadmium out of landfills. You can recycle instruction manuals, batteries and chargers.

Whether you mail your phone directly to a charity of your choosing or to Collective Good, you will receive a donation acknowledgement letter with a tax deduction receipt. Some charities offer free shipping labels on-line. And finally, you can drop off used mobile phones at local Staples office supply stores. For more information, go to www.collectivegood.com.