Why Do You or Don't You Recycle Your Old Mobile Phone?

Lphonerehome on 24/09/2017 - 22:51
Last edited 25/09/2017 - 13:19

Hi Ozbargainers! Long time fan, first time forum poster!

I'm basically curious - we all know the inherent benefits of recycling to the environment, yet so few of us choose to recycle our old phones and instead hold onto them - even when they're broken or have no resell value. If you do or have recycled an old phone, what got you over the line? If you don't or haven't, what are your reasons or concerns? I'm interested to hear your views!

DISCLAIMER:

I should point out that I'm currently running an awareness campaign for the recycling, reselling and repurposing of old mobile phones. If you're interested in my campaign, any support is greatly appreciated. You can follow my wordpress at http://phonerehome.wordpress.com or check out my Facebook page at www.facebook.com/PhoneRehome/ !

Thanks.

Mobile

Comments

  • coco1458 on 24/09/2017 - 22:53
    +24

    The need for that phone as a backup in the case that my primary phone fails and it needs to be sent it for warranty repairs
    Actually had to use it on 2 occasions

    • citygal on 24/09/2017 - 23:01
      +1

      Me 2. I usually keep it as a backup or just sell it.

    • phonerehome on 24/09/2017 - 23:06

      Do you usually just keep 1 backup phone at a time?

      • citygal on 24/09/2017 - 23:31
        +4

        i usually just sell it. But my partner will keep a few at a time in case - only to find out that the battery tends to die naturally if you don't use it for a while!

      • coco1458 on 25/09/2017 - 00:00
        +5

        Hand them down to family members so everyone gets some sort of upgrade and the oldest phone is just a backup. So 1 backup phone for the whole family.

        • abuch47 on 26/09/2017 - 18:07
          +1

          keep as backup and give to family and friends when in a tight spot, ends up broken a day later 'do you have another one?' get absolutely (profanity)

  • outlander on 24/09/2017 - 23:03
    +28

    Sold all mine. Best way to recycle anything

    • phonerehome on 24/09/2017 - 23:08
      +3

      Absolutely! It's a win-win scenario for everyone.

    • jellykingdom on 25/09/2017 - 12:42

      Yep agreed, i sell mine……..depending on WHY i'm changing phones…my G4 just went all Boot Loop-y on me, so I'm not going to be selling that

  • Sage on 24/09/2017 - 23:09
    +9

    no incentive, and I don't like the idea of my phones being resold by someone else.

    • phonerehome on 24/09/2017 - 23:20
      +2

      You're right about there being not too much of an incentive to do so. MobileMuster will recycle your old phones rather than resell them - but I think they would be a lot more popular if they had an incentive.

    • outlander on 24/09/2017 - 23:22

      What incentive do you need?

      • citygal on 24/09/2017 - 23:29
        +8

        Money

        • outlander on 24/09/2017 - 23:30
          +2

          like the money you'd get from selling it?

        • citygal on 24/09/2017 - 23:32

          @outlander:
          Yes. Or a little bit of money (if the phone is too old that can't be sold)

      • phonerehome on 24/09/2017 - 23:32

        What I've found with a lot of people is that they want something in return for recycling the device (like trade-in value towards a new phone) otherwise they will tend to hold onto them.

        • citygal on 24/09/2017 - 23:34
          +11

          Yes. After all you paid for the device. Sometimes you have info (e.g. messages, photos) saved in the old phone and having no incentives makes me not very motivated to sort out those info before giving it away.

        • phonerehome on 24/09/2017 - 23:41

          @citygal: very few options available, especially if your used phones are older than 2-3 years. If you have a new-ish used iPhone, I know that Apple have a trade-in program, but I'm not sure how much you would get.

        • outlander on 24/09/2017 - 23:42
          +1

          @citygal:
          Shouldn't you want to sort it out for yourself? I like selling mine because it forces me to go through and copy off any important things I missed. Plus nowdays with things stored on cloud servers, theres very little that gets left behind anyway

          But the security of data is a good point. One positive of phones with inbuilt memory is that once things are deleted they're basically impossible to recover. A delete, then filling up with something large like video files should wipe beyond recovery

        • citygal on 24/09/2017 - 23:51
          +2

          @phonerehome:
          Yeah, that's why I tend to sell the old phones that are not older than 2-3 years. I only consider recycling if the phone can't be sold.

        • citygal on 24/09/2017 - 23:57
          +2

          @outlander:
          Yes, but with limited storage of phones, it's almost impossible to port everything from old phone to new phone. I know about the cloud servers part - I already reached the full capacity for the free cloud ages ago (not hard if you like taking photos and videos and having music downloaded, etc). If I know the data (especially if it's not an important one) is not lost, why should I want to sort them out? It's like having a spring clean of your house - you only do so if you got time or if it's really necessary.

        • PJC on 25/09/2017 - 00:14
          +2

          @phonerehome: Will you soon post a solution as a deal?

        • phonerehome on 25/09/2017 - 08:21
          +1

          @PJC: I think these are a few options.
          1. If your old phone has next to no value and isn't in the greatest working condition it is well worth recycling it with MobileMuster - they have special drop off points at most Officeworks and phone retailers which is quite convenient.
          2. If your device is a little newer, there is definitely a market out there for second hand phones whether that be on Ebay, Gumtree, or trading in at Apple, EB Games. I also think some telcoms are incorporating trade-up schemes into there plans and will take your old mobile phone towards a newer model. Another site worth looking at is Mazuma Mobile who offer to buy your old phone from you (I don't have any experiencing dealing with them though, just been recommended to me).
          3. Repurposing. This is simply getting value out of your old phone such as using it as dedicated MP3 player, using it for games or handing it off to friends / family who need it more (can confirm the latter is most rewarding).

        • PJC on 25/09/2017 - 09:53

          @phonerehome: That does not answer my question.

        • phonerehome on 25/09/2017 - 10:53

          @PJC: I'm sorry, what was your question referring to?

        • decr on 25/09/2017 - 11:17
          +5

          @phonerehome: 3. Is a really good point. My son, who is too young to have a proper phone (by my standards anyway), uses my old phone as an alarm clock. Battery lasts around 2-3 weeks in flight mode, it also provides him with a camera to take pictures of his lego creations. He also knows how to disable flight mode and dial 000 in case. Well, haven't actually tried that one out yet in practice fortunately.

  • Tsort on 25/09/2017 - 00:28
    +1

    I just didn't know how.
    My next phone waste, will go to that special bin at Sydney Town Hall's cafe, next to the door.

    • phonerehome on 25/09/2017 - 08:33

      I didn't know they had a drop off point there! Thanks!

  • bobbified on 25/09/2017 - 00:35
    +3

    I don't think our minds have caught up with the extremely fast pace that phones depreciate in value. No-one forgets the hundreds or over-a-thousand dollars they paid for it initially. So regardless of the actual values after a couple of years, we still think it's worth something and we can perhaps get some money back for it. This would be especially true if the original price was quite significant to the buyer at the time of purchase.

    It's not a newspaper or milk carton where the initial cost was insignificant and no-one had to save for it.

    • phonerehome on 25/09/2017 - 08:25
      +1

      I agree. I still remember buying an iPhone 4s outright for pretty close to $1000 and 5 years later believing it was worth more than the depreciation.

      • outlander on 25/09/2017 - 09:31

        I guess I'm more entitled than you guys. Once I use something for a week it becomes garbage to me. All the little flaws stick out like flashing lights. I'm always surpised by just how much I get back from them.

        Nexus 4 - $250 in 2013. Sold for $70 in 2017, which a dinged up display, broken back and uncontrollable shutdowns.

        • mitmiu on 27/09/2017 - 13:26

          Where so you sell them? I have a Nexus 4 too

        • outlander on 27/09/2017 - 13:40

          @mitmiu:

          Just ebay. Trick is in the formula to selling it. If you just through it up as an auction you might get $15

      • Hahuh on 25/09/2017 - 16:30
        +1

        After spening 1k on the 4s myself, I swore I would never ever pay that much for a phone again. Im rocking an el cheapo $190 phone that gets the job done. Max ill spend on a phone would be $600 now.

        I do tend to keep my phone for a few years though

    • [Deactivated] on 26/09/2017 - 20:00
      +1

      Mine definitely has, I refuse to pay over $200 for a smart phone these days, and I use them until they break. I don't really do anything that requires hi-def photography, and I have access to every app that I need to run on a daily basis. I am rocking an Xperia XA and I am yet to find something that it's not capable of running. Worth noting that I don't game on a mobile because I game on a 3DS, or a Vita, or a PSP, or one of other gaming devices I have which is vastly superior to the games available on the "mobile" platform. I see a lot of people walking around with $900 devices to use 99 cent apps and it blows my mind.

  • 17833 on 25/09/2017 - 02:05
    +3

    Used my Nokia 2220s phone until a month or so ago when Optus shut down 2g network. Now use the phone as an alarm. Loud enough, reliable, and I can turn the phone off and it will turn on when the alarm activates.

    • phonerehome on 25/09/2017 - 08:32

      I used to do this with my older Nokia too until it stopped working. Now I just use my current phone (not as loud though).

  • Nugs on 25/09/2017 - 07:49
    +1

    still got all 3 of my previous phones;
    phone 1 - CDMA equipped LG
    phone 2 - Nokia 6120 Classic - may yet go back to using it
    phone 3 - Sony Ericcson with damaged screen may yet fix it

    • phonerehome on 25/09/2017 - 08:29

      Once you decide what you're going to do with all of them, whatever ends up as surplus you can recycle or repurpose!

  • Nikovegna on 25/09/2017 - 08:02
    +2

    I'm playing planning recycling my old iPhone 4 by giving to my son to use as a camera. You can get kid friendly cases like this: https://www.amazon.com/LeapFrog-Creativity-Camera-Protective…

    • phonerehome on 25/09/2017 - 08:30

      A great way to repurpose!

  • skillet on 25/09/2017 - 08:09
    +2

    When I hoard enough phones and circuit board I might be able to turn them into gold bars.

    • YellowDieselGolf on 25/09/2017 - 17:32

      There’s a series of videos on YouTube where a dude reclaims gold from some old processors. Interesting viewing and it pretty much shattered any ideas I had on DIY gold mining.

      • skillet on 26/09/2017 - 10:44
        +1

        Just waiting for the gold recovery DIY kit to be sold on those late night TV commercials.

  • pegaxs on 25/09/2017 - 09:49
    +2

    I keep a second phone and as I buy a new one, the current phone turns into a spare, the old spare gets sold. If I recycle my aluminium cans, I can get money for them, same with scrap steel, copper, so why would I just give away a device I paid upwards of $500 for? While I appreciate that people do recycle their phones, I just sell mine on even if it is just scrap value prices that I get, it's still something. Let the next guy donate it for nothing.

    • phonerehome on 25/09/2017 - 10:55

      That is fair enough. I think recycling only makes the most sense when the device is no longer functional.

  • ronnknee on 25/09/2017 - 09:55
    +1

    Mainly to keep it as a spare in case the current dies.

  • JDogg1329 on 25/09/2017 - 10:27
    +1

    I usually sell my old phones because I don't keep them longer than 2 years so I can get some money back on it

  • Cozza38 on 25/09/2017 - 10:30
    +1

    If it is still functional when I'm done with it I put it in the cupboard. I work in tech so I end up with plenty of people asking for help with things, at least once a year someone will break a phone and ask If I can fix it for them. Most of the time I'll just hand them my old phone to keep until they get a new one.

    I don't currently have any old phones in my house but I've never thrown one away or sold one. :)

  • jerjergege on 25/09/2017 - 10:31
    +2

    I've kept all of my smartphones, except for my apple ones.

    Apple ones I've resold instantly when i don't need them, awesome resell value.

    All the other ones I beleive its not worth the trouble, i'll use them as a app tester or a dev unit or a webcam.

    For a future project I might imbed the phone into my wall to run a smarthome app.

    • Meliodas on 27/09/2017 - 07:34

      imbed phone to wall for smart home app is a genius idea, you can start a business this way

      • jerjergege on 27/09/2017 - 08:35

        I already am in the building automation industry :)

        However we don't use mobiles phones that was just for my little project, we use tablets or windows PCs or official home automation devices from, Clipsal Schneider C-BUS, Philips Dynalite( big brother of Philips Hue) or ABB KNX.

        • Meliodas on 27/09/2017 - 09:00

          Wow, thats quite a range you have there, although im not sure i understand it, but it really sound interesting

        • jerjergege on 27/09/2017 - 10:56

          Basically companies that make hardware for building automation, that can control lighting, blinds, heating/cooling and even security.

  • Birchy on 25/09/2017 - 11:46
    +1

    I think maybe because people carry their phones every day, some see them as a status symbol, have personal photos and messages on them. With out being aware of it become emotionally attached to them so when they brake them they get thrown in a draw like a broken watch or piece of jewellery. I found three old phones of my wife's and asked why she still had them the reply simply was " because their mine".

    • phonerehome on 25/09/2017 - 13:15

      I agree with the personal attachment part - it has very much become a 5th limb and it is hard not to be sentimental when you invest so much time and money into it.

  • [Deactivated] on 25/09/2017 - 12:30
    +2

    I recycle mine by giving them to people who need one, i also collect old phones, chargers and cables, it has made me the go to for a charger or cable. Would you believe people still need the red, yellow and white video cables! I also have a stash of old console controllers and cables. I am a great person to know >.<

    • phonerehome on 25/09/2017 - 13:17
      +1

      Not all heroes wear capes - my mate does this too - it can be really handy at parties when someone has spare charging cables.

      • [Deactivated] on 26/09/2017 - 04:05
        +1

        my retro cables are my real pride, keeping old tech in service as long as it is still useful to someone is my hobby.

  • freakatronic on 25/09/2017 - 12:31
    +3

    I gave my older (still working) S3 to my mum, who had smashed her S3. She was happy not to have to learn a new phone.

  • myusername on 25/09/2017 - 12:44
    +1

    use them as ip cams around the house

  • Abaddon on 25/09/2017 - 12:58
    +1

    Recycled my old Motorola RAZR after it had a swim.

    All of my android phones are now mounted around my house with Skype running with auto-answer from contacts enabled. Allows me to call home and talk/monitor the dogs.

  • shiraj on 25/09/2017 - 13:08
    +1

    I like hoarding -
    Still have all my phones since my Nokia 5110.

    • phonerehome on 25/09/2017 - 13:19
      -1

      Do you mind if I ask what you're getting out of keeping all your old phones? I mean, you say you like hoarding, but what specifically about keeping so many phones? Thanks

    • decr on 26/09/2017 - 10:46

      Would you mind parting with it? It was my first phone in the late '90s and ironically my car has a cradle for a 5110/6210. Obviously it won't work but just for giggles.

      • shiraj on 26/09/2017 - 10:55

        Nope sorry - ….

  • chumlee on 25/09/2017 - 14:04
    +1

    I'm keeping my old phone in case I see ET and he can have it

  • Illian on 25/09/2017 - 14:09
    +1

    I sent my S4 back for trade-in value for my new plan cycle. My S6 Edge screen is cracked (spiderweb crack) though and hardly worth anything so I use it as an mp3 player and back-up for my S8. I still have my very first phone though, for nostalgia reasons, a Sony Ericsson flip lol. It's buried in a box of my childhood things.

  • MrFunSocks on 25/09/2017 - 14:34

    I keep them.

  • [Deactivated] on 25/09/2017 - 14:45
    +1

    I hand my phones down to family, and whatever my phone they used to have (handed down by me previously) gets sold to mobile monster. Not the best $$$ I can get but quick and easy, last few phones about 3-4 years old I’ve received $150-$200

  • CI on 25/09/2017 - 15:30
    +1

    With bit older smartphones very very easy to scope the phone of wiped data by the previous owner. I guess much more difficult with embedded memory or flash storage. In-case of iphones most people do sell them.

  • veej on 25/09/2017 - 16:17
    +1

    I keep my phones in a case with a screen protector and sell them on average every 2 years or so when I want a new phone
    (it helps justify buying a new phone when there is nothing wrong with my old phone cough)

    I get around $200-300 back for my old phones when selling them off.

  • Shame on 25/09/2017 - 16:21
    +1

    Spare parts for the family + backup phone + hand me downs. I decide what phone me, my partner and my parents use and they are usually the same model with a bit of a lag. That way tech support (i.e. me explaining how to turn wifi back on) is easy and my old phone can be a hand me down or spare parts for everyone else.

  • [Deactivated] on 25/09/2017 - 17:30
    +1

    N8 fm transmitter in the car.

    Note 2 with zerolemon battery 9300mAh with netflix installed for them slow days at work plus to entertain the kids if we are out and about for a long period of time, it has a data share dim so all bases covered and they cant use my phone.

    E72 coupled to a wired speaker for an easy as fm radio at work on my desk, the speaker is old as the phone and well not needed at home so stays with the e72 at work.

  • Gronk on 25/09/2017 - 17:40
    +1

    we all know the inherent benefits of recycling to the environment

    Can I ask, have you seen the recent 4 corners report on the state of the recycling industry in Australia? And if so does this influence your views on the benefits of recycling in general?

    While it did focus primarily on plastic, it painted a very bleak picture of the state of the recycling industry in Australia in general where the cost of recovering materials results in a prohibitively high market price which has all but killed the industry. The end result is recycling companies shipping container loads of recyclable material to interstate or offshore landfills which brings into question any perceived benefits.

    • phonerehome on 25/09/2017 - 22:01

      I have to say I haven't seen this, but I will look into it further. Thanks!

  • scrimshaw on 25/09/2017 - 17:47
    +1

    My NBN is down today so working on Ozbargain using a old Huawei Android with tethering using my stockpile of Telstra sim

    Half dismantled Lg G2 sitting in a drawer because I took it apart and don't know how to put it back together again.

    • [Deactivated] on 26/09/2017 - 21:04

      failed attempt on ozbargaining101

  • Munch on 25/09/2017 - 21:06
    +1

    My old phones are back up phones or they're used when going away but don't want to use my current phone (in case it gets lost/broken). Also old phone can be given to another family member or sometimes friend.

    I don't like the idea of reselling my old phones in case some data of mine could be possibly found. Seems these days it's harder to get rid of stuff and I'd rather it not fall into the wrong hands.

    • phonerehome on 26/09/2017 - 23:15

      Data seems to be a common and indeed valid concern Thanks for your contribution!

  • LYRICALRAVER on 25/09/2017 - 21:14
    +1

    My Nokia phone's battery got redundant so I need to buy a new one. But I couldn't be bothered buying it (it's also locked to 'Virginmobile' network since I bought it in 2013 I think. ) I should really get round to recycling it. But just kept on procrastinating about that…

  • montorola on 25/09/2017 - 21:43
    +1

    I'm surprised no one said nostalgia.

    For me I'm on my phone everyday so my phone is linked with memories from the past, like the girl I was seeing etc lol, that's why I keep all mine.

  • Gauntlet on 25/09/2017 - 23:58
    +1

    Put a custom ROM on those suckers and you've got yourself an IP camera DVR, a torrent seedbox, a portable hotspot, a security cam, a car tracker… The list is endless!

  • ChickenTalon on 26/09/2017 - 08:19
    +1

    I check the resale returns and weigh against the value to me. Factoring in any repairs that I might need to do.

    I use old phones for
    A backup in case of warranty, or family member.
    Remote cameras (using a very handy app called Alfred)
    Remote control & remote keyboard for TV/media

    Unless a phone was damaged significantly to make repairs uneconomical, I wouldn’t consider recycling or giving away an old phone.

    Had an original iPhone which worked but had lines on the screen and cracked rear housing. They were going for quite a bit on eBay so I tried replacing the screen and rear, it was crazy difficult (they used a lot of glue back then) and I ballsed it up. Ended up recycling that one.

  • DiscoJango on 26/09/2017 - 09:04
    +1

    Hoarding.

    That is all.

    Thank you.

  • Plug on 26/09/2017 - 13:15
    +1

    I've got an old shoebox that has around 8 or 9 old phones in it, none of which will ever be used again. Just don't really know what to do with them.

  • [Deactivated] on 26/09/2017 - 14:19
    +1

    mum sends them to relatives overseas

  • jmu93 on 26/09/2017 - 14:26
    +1

    I've thrown out a few old school ones (flip, bricks, etc). Usually keep one smart phone type phone as a back up. Have an old iPhone 3G laying around somewhere I think. I gave my old galaxy s2 to a mate when his broke. We waste so much as a population so I'm happy in theory to reuse old phones for parts/minerals, even if someone makes a profit.

  • DangerNoodle on 26/09/2017 - 14:45
    +2

    If it has GPS, do what I did. Buy an Amaysim payg sim card and plug it into the phone. Get a good electrician or mechanic to hardwire an always on cigarette lighter port hidden away in your card. Plug in a usb charger into said port and plug phone into said charger with GPS on (preferably gps only, turn off the option to use mobile networks and wifi networks to save data and battery) and hide the phone. Turn off auto updates unless on wifi so it won't burn through data. Register the phone for Android device manager or whatever its called now and viola, you can now GPS track your car if it ever gets stolen.

    If you're worried about draining the battery of your car, you can hard-wire the port to not be always on and use a xiaomi v2 battery pack (if I recall these support 2 way charging) so it will charge the battery pack which will then charge your phone when you drive. Generally you should have issues if you force the phone to use 3g. Before 2g support was axed you could get a couple hundred hours of standby time per full charge.

    • phonerehome on 26/09/2017 - 23:22

      This is such an awesome use, Thanks for your contribution!

  • ego22 on 26/09/2017 - 15:18
    +1

    nope. any personal info, pictures, documents, web searches, anything u have ever had on your phone at any time can be easily brought back if somone got a hold of your old phone.

    your all completely nuts for selling your phones.

    • phonerehome on 26/09/2017 - 23:26

      I apologise if I sound a bit naive here, but I'm genuinely interested - how easy are we talking and how is this type of thing done? Is this something anybody could do and what are the chances of it happening?

      Thanks :)

  • stralya on 26/09/2017 - 17:19
    +1

    When my kids were younger, I'd keep the used phones as toys - especially those flip phones.

    • phonerehome on 26/09/2017 - 23:27

      I agree, those flip phones do make great kids toys. Old Nokia bricks too, because they're bulletproof obviously

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