Mobile Phone Recycling

We change our phones every 2 years on average, but the plastics, metals and electronics in mobile phones take thousands of years to decompose properly if sent to landfill, and can be toxic to the environment.

There are plenty of local and nationwide services for you to recycle your mobile phone with, and we've put together this guide to help you find the solution for you.

ℹ️ How to Donate to Charity

Sell your phone and donate the cash directly — you will raise much more for charity by cutting out middlemen, and can add 25% with Gift Aid.

Check your phone's model number and condition
Find the company below that will pay you the most cash for it.
Use their Freepost address to post free-of-charge
Donate the money you receive directly to the Against Malaria Foundation and add Gift Aid if eligible to increase by 25%

We recommend the Against Malaria Foundation — they produce & distribute long-lasting anti-mosquito bed nets at an estimated cost of $2 each, and are one of the world's most effective charities at saving lives on a per-£ basis.

If your phone does not have a commercial value — or you do not want to sell it — you can use the alternative recycling options below to prevent your phone going to landfill.

☑️ Information You Will Need

» Model Number: e.g. iPhone 6S Plus
» If there are several versions of the same phone, they may have different hard drive capacities (e.g. 8GB, 16GB etc)
» Do you have the battery and charger?
» Fully working? Any problems?

Phones with scratches, dents, cracks and obvious superficial problems are normally considered 'damaged', and will get a reduced price.

If your phone does not power on / hold charge, or has water damage, you are unlikely to get anything for it and it should be considered scrap electronics.

Where to Sell Your Phone

🛒 Compare&Recycle

This web site searches over 30 phone recycling companies with free postage to get you the best price for your handset.

Check your phone

You can see the ratings associated with each company based on previous users, and you should check the grading criteria as they differ slightly.

🔀 CeX / WeBuy Online

Once you've checked your phone at Compare&Recycle, you may be able to get a much better price from CeX.

Sell to CeX Online

Do this only if it's in good cosmetic condition and fully working, and includes the battery and charger.

🔀 CeX Stores

These stores on the high street buy electronics, games and films. You can take your phone in (with the accessories) and get a free appraisal then and there.

Find a CeX Store

Alternative Recycling Options

❓ Use it as a Backup

If it's still working, you can keep your old one as a handy backup in case you drop the shiny new one in the bath; or keep it as a phone to use when abroad, or at a muddy festival...?

❗️ Give it Away!

Offer working phones for free on Freecycle, Freegle, Facebook Marketplace.

Or maybe you have a friend or family member who might need a new phone or a backup?

❓ Charity Shops

Some larger chains of charity shops collect mobiles in store.

This is only a good option if your phone has less than £5 commercial value — they normally get only a couple of £s for any phone regardless of condition.

This is a poor option if your phone is worth over £5 — better to sell your phone above and donate the cash to a charity and add Gift Aid.

♻️ Recycling Points

You can take scrap phones to any council 'civic amenity' site that recycles small electricals, as mobile phones are considered regulated waste electronics.

You can also take other small electrical items (cables, accessories, toasters, tablets).

Or take them to any Currys / PC World store — they take small electricals for recycling free — you don't even need to be a customer!

Or, if your council allows you to include small electricals in a roadside collection then this is also a good option.

Why Recycle Mobile Phones?

Any mobile phone can be recycled at the end of its life in an environmentally-friendly way.

In landfill, the precious metals used in production are unavailable for reuse, and phones may leach toxic chemicals into the local water supply.

Most used phones also have value that could be put to good use — by donating it to a good cause, for example.

everycartridge.com is here to help you find a way to recycle your phone and ensure it doesn't end up in the bin.