| Today's mobile phones are more technologically | | | | like getting money without doing any work at all! |
| advanced than ever. And depending on your | | | | How it works |
| make and model of mobile phone, you may have | | | | The process is fairly simply. You find on the |
| stored some sensitive data on it. This can be a | | | | Internet a company that recycles old mobile |
| problem if you're thinking of recycling your old | | | | phones. You then click on your phone's icon on |
| mobile phone. And you should be thinking about | | | | the company's Web site. The company will offer |
| this. If you've recently upgraded to a new mobile | | | | you a price for your phone. If you like it, accept it. |
| phone, there's no reason for you not to recycle | | | | If you don't, you might want to try another |
| your old version. | | | | recycler for a better price. |
| What else will you do with an old mobile phone? If | | | | Once you accept a price, the company sends you |
| you have a newer model filled with better | | | | a padded envelope. You put your old cell phone |
| applications, you certainly won't be tempted to | | | | inside and send it off. Usually within seven |
| use your old phone ever again. So you'll do one of | | | | business days, you will receive your payment. |
| two things: You might set it on your desktop or | | | | Erasing personal data |
| inside a drawer and never use it again. Or, even | | | | It's important, though, to erase all personal data |
| worse, you'll dump it in the trash. | | | | from your mobile phone before you send it off |
| The mobile phone will then end up in a landfill | | | | for recycling. |
| somewhere. Not only will it take up valuable land, | | | | The odds are good that you'll have a long list of |
| it might also leak dangerous toxic chemicals into | | | | phone numbers and addresses stored on your |
| the land. These chemicals include cadmium, lithium | | | | mobile phone. Before you recycle that mobile |
| and mercury. Once they've leaked into the soil, | | | | phone for cash, erase all of them. You don't want |
| they have a very good chance of making their | | | | your personal information to fall into the wrong |
| way into a nearby waterway. And no one wants | | | | hands. |
| that. | | | | If you have any other personal information stored |
| What to do? | | | | on your phone - entirely possible depending on the |
| The best way to dispose of your outdated cell | | | | make and model of your mobile - erase that, too. |
| phone is to recycle it. This is easier than it sounds. | | | | Your goal is to send your phone back exactly as |
| You can always check with your local municipality. | | | | it was when you first purchased, empty of all |
| Several hold special collection days during which | | | | your personal information. |
| they pick up old consumer electronics. They then | | | | Be sure, too, to remove your SIM card from |
| send these devices, including unwanted mobile | | | | your cell phone, too, before sending it off to be |
| phones, to be recycled. | | | | recycled. If you don't, the phone-recycling |
| Or, if you'd like to get a bit of extra spending | | | | companies will simply destroy the card. |
| cash for recycling your mobile phone, you can | | | | You shouldn't fear the act of recycling your |
| always scour the Internet for a private company | | | | mobile phone. If you take the right precautions, |
| that recycles mobile phones. You've undoubtedly | | | | you will prevent your personal information from |
| seen these companies advertise on the television | | | | getting into the wrong person's hands. |
| or the radio. They promise to send you cash for | | | | At the same time, you'll be doing a good deed |
| your old mobile phones. | | | | and getting paid for it. Yes, it really is a win-win |
| The amazing thing is, they actually do it. It's a bit | | | | situation. |