Got an old phone somewhere in your drawer? It’s no use to anyone there, but if you donate it this phone could have a second life with someone else. In fact, giving away your phone is pretty much the best thing you can do with it once you’re done using it.

Let’s take a look at the different organizations where you can donate your old phone.

Goodwill is a non-profit organization that provides job placements, job training and other community programs for people who have difficulty finding work.

Even though online thrift stores are growing in popularity, many of us have probably already purchased from Goodwill. Did you know that the Goodwill Donation Center accepts electronic devices such as cell phones, laptops and PCs? Use its website locator to find the nearest Goodwill drop-off point in your area and simply enter.

If you have a lot of outdated devices, for example from your office, Goodwill encourages you to contact their recycling team so they can help you coordinate such bulk donations.

The Salvation Army operates charity shops and homeless shelters and provides humanitarian aid and disaster relief. The organization is present in 132 countries.

According to The Salvation Army’s Guide to the Value of Donations, cell phones are one of the various donation items accepted. However, this can vary from location to location, so contact your local donation center to make sure they can take your old phone.

GreenDrop helps charitable foundations such as the American Red Cross and the National Federation of the Blind. The organization operates out of abandoned gas stations and convenience stores, which have been redeveloped to be safe, clean, and drive-friendly places for donors.

Related: Creative Ways To Use Your Old Smartphone

Besides old cell phones, GreenDrop also accepts a wide variety of items including clothing and shoes. Many of them are sold in 2nd Ave Thrift Stores, which are owned by the same family that founded GreenDrop.

Call2Recycle is a battery recycling and management program. This voluntary industry-run initiative was put in place in the mid-1990s to prevent toxic metals from batteries from entering the waste management system. It’s a very important process, even today, as more durable batteries come out.

Call2Recycle also collects cell phones, with or without batteries. You can find a drop-off point on their website. Depending on the condition, your donated phone may be refurbished and resold. If it can no longer be used, Call2Recycle helps to recycle your phone. The proceeds help support its public education and phone fundraising program.

Secure the Call seeks to resolve two issues. First of all, electronic waste. Second, the lack of electronic access to emergency services by vulnerable communities.

Secure the Call collects old cell phones and inspects them in its Maryland office. Usable phones are fully charged, packaged with battery chargers and redistributed to disadvantaged people, most of whom are the elderly and victims of domestic violence.

You can ship your phone to Secure the Call using its prepaid shipping labels. You can also simply drop your device into one of its many collection barrels, installed across the United States.

Based in Ocala, Florida, the 911 Cell Phone Bank is an initiative of the Charitable Recycling Foundation. Older but functioning phones are being distributed through its extensive network of law enforcement and victim services agencies.

Since 2004, more than 150,000 emergency mobile phones have been handed over to vulnerable citizens. The organization also accepts other electronic devices such as tablets, digital media players and laptops.

If you only donate a few devices, you just need to print a shipping label from its website to ship your phone for free. If you intend to donate more than 10 devices, you will need to complete a contact form so the organization can make shipping arrangements with you.

Formerly known as the Portland Women’s Crisis Line (PWCL), Call to Safety is one of the premier sexual violence hotlines in the United States. Call to Safety primarily serves the Portland, Oregon and Washington area.

Call to Safety distributes working phones to survivors of domestic and sexual violence, allowing them to dial 911 for assistance. The organization also recycles damaged phones. This serves as one of its revenue sources to fund the services. You can donate your phone by mailing it to Call to Safety in Portland.

Based in Denver, Colorado, NCADV operates numerous programs, such as the Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery Program and Remember My Name, all of which aim to support victims and survivors of domestic violence.

NCADV accepts devices such as older cell phones, laptops, MP3 players and video game systems. In partnership with Cellular Recycler, NCADV receives a portion of the sales of these refurbished and recycled electronic devices.

If you have three or more devices to donate, you may qualify for free shipping.

The Women’s Resource Center (WRC) provides temporary accommodation and emergency shelter to victims of domestic violence. The center focuses on serving Newport and Bristol counties.

WRC is involved in a cell phone recycling program. When devices are refurbished and sold, or recycled, the WRC earns cash grants that can then be used towards its services and programs. You can drop off your old phone at its designated locations in Newport or Warren.

Medic creates quality open source software that supports health workers. It aims to change the way technology powers healthcare systems.

With Medic’s Phone Donation Program, you can breathe new life into your old phone. Medic partners with The Wireless Alliance to safely refurbish or recycle devices. The proceeds from the sale are used to fund Medic’s continued work in the health field.

To donate your old phone, pack it in a shipping box or envelope and print a free shipping label from the Medic website. You can also send in your old iPods, tablets and digital cameras, as the organization accepts these items as well.

If your phone is still valuable, Cell4Pets offers to buy it instead of just receiving it as a donation. Cell4Pets buys older iPhones, iPads, Android smartphones and tablets from almost all manufacturers. After reselling or recycling your device, Cell4Pets donates a portion of the sales to North Shore Animal League, a no-kill shelter that helps dogs and cats in need.

Depending on the model and condition of your device, you can get an instant quote through the website’s database. Cell4Pets will then provide a free USPS priority shipping label to ship your item. After your old phone arrives, you can expect to receive payment from Cell4Pets within three days.

The best places to donate your old phone

As noted above, there are plenty of places you can donate your old phone. By donating your old phone to these great organizations, you can play your part in supporting their worthy cause while doing good for the environment.

Read more

About the Author