| Americans love their cell phones but we are a | | | | phone with all the bells and whistles, you might |
| fickle group. Although certainly some phones | | | | want to check out sites that allow you to |
| cease to function, many of us simply want the | | | | “trade”. One such site is This site |
| latest and greatest. The average person uses a | | | | allows you to send in your old phone and obtain a |
| cell phone approximately 18 months before | | | | new phone at a reduced cost. The other option |
| replacing it. With 200 million plus users in the US | | | | offered is simply taking cash for your phone. ( |
| alone, this presents an issue as far as disposal. It | | | | Users are able to determine the value of their |
| is currently estimated that there are 500 million | | | | phone via a search of the site. Not all models are |
| cell phones sitting on shelves or in landfills in this | | | | accepted but their list is extensive. Another |
| country with an additional 2 million phones being | | | | program that readily offers cash for old phones is |
| added to this total weekly. The EPA has | | | | |
| designated mobile phones as hazardous waste | | | | If you want to support charitable organizations |
| due to their lead, mercury, cadium, and arsenic | | | | you can investigate other options. The program |
| content. Thus, we are faced with the | | | | allows users to sell or donate phones to their |
| environmental/health issues that arise as well as | | | | choice of several charitable programs. Another |
| the economic impact of wasted resources. | | | | program, refurbishes donated cell phones to |
| So, what are we to do when the time comes to | | | | provide affordable wireless service throughout the |
| part with a beloved cell phone? There are of | | | | Caribbean and Latin America. Donations to the |
| course numerous options when you are ready to | | | | program are tax deductible. Additional donation |
| “trade up” or trash your phone. For | | | | programs include [ and among many others. Most |
| those of you who are wishing to rid yourself of | | | | of these programs also offer organizations the |
| not only your cell phone but also a current cellular | | | | option of running fundraisers by collecting and |
| contract, it may pay to investigate the option of | | | | sending in used cell phones. |
| trading your phone and contract via subleasing. | | | | One other option for your old cell phone of |
| One such site that can assist with this is [ | | | | course is checking for available programs through |
| CellTradeUSA basically connects individuals who | | | | your wireless service provider. For instance, |
| wish to get out of a contract with people wanting | | | | Verizon Wireless offers the Hopeline program |
| to get in. You can post a free ad indicating the | | | | which collects phones from any provider to assist |
| monthly fee, the minutes, and the remaining | | | | victims of domestic violence. They also conduct a |
| contract period that would be assumed. There is | | | | battery recycling program. Similarly, T-Mobile has a |
| a single fee of $19.99 to gain unlimited access to | | | | “Get More, Give More” program for |
| responses from your posting. Once someone is | | | | recycling batteries, PDAs, accessories, and phones |
| found to assume the contract, the process is | | | | to benefit charities. |
| brief and simply involves a credit check by the | | | | Once you’ve decided it’s time to |
| cellular provider and signing a transfer contract. | | | | part with your cell phone there really are |
| This system allows users to get out of contracts | | | | numerous options. You can simply search on line |
| early, pass along their phone to another user, and | | | | for the recycling or disposal program of your |
| avoid any early termination fees. | | | | choice, terminate services for your phone, clear |
| If you are among those cell phone owners who | | | | the memory, remove the SIM card, and move |
| simply wants to trade up without guilt and with | | | | on. |
| less expense than paying full price for the new | | | | |