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.
Supports The Against Malaria Foundation, who distribute anti-mosquito nets to save lives by preventing the spread of malaria.
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...?
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?
Some larger chains of charity shops collect mobiles but 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 as they will raise much less money than you would if you sold it directly and donated the cash.
Call ahead to check your intended store is open during the COVID-19 crisis, and that they take mobile phones. These cannot normally be sent in the post due to Royal Mail regulations on batteries.
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.
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.