Incredibly, it’s estimated that there are 40 million unused gadgets in homes across the length and breadth of the UK, with approximately 45% of British households hoarding up to five unused devices (such as smartphones) at any given time.
This is according to research carried out by the Royal Society of Chemistry, which highlighted the potential issue caused by our reliance on tech and the risk that unused devices will end up in landfills.
However, there are other options when dealing with unwanted smartphones and tablets. Recycling is one of the best and most popular options in the modern age, but how does this work and where can you go to do this?
How Does Mobile Phone Recycling Work?
If you’ve recently upgraded and want to sell your iPhone, the good news is that you can recycle your device in exchange for an agreed amount of money.
This process is relatively straightforward too, as you initially click through your chosen website and conduct a search for the precise make and model of smartphone that you’re looking to sell.
At this stage, you’ll have to confirm the relevant device and its condition (which normally requires you to select either excellent, good or faulty), before proceeding to review a list of the cash offers available.
You should also be able to appraise the estimated cash value of the device, making it easier to identify the best value offer. Then, all that’s left is to package your iPhone and post it to the recycler, before waiting for cash to be paid directly into your bank.
Where Can You Recycle Your Old Phones?
While it’s easier than ever to sell and recycle your smartphone online, there are other options to consider before making an informed decision.
Much depends on the circumstances surrounding your decision to recycle. If you’re looking to get rid of your device at the same time as upgrading, for example, the retailer handing your new purchase will often recycle your handset free of charge.
Similarly, there are a number of local authority waste and recycling centers in the UK, each of which has a dedicated bin in which you can deposit smartphones.
Some charities will also take your unwanted smartphones, with a view to either recycling them or giving them directly to employees.
What to Do Before Recycling
Before you send your smartphone (or multiple electronic devices) to a chosen site for recycling, it’s important to remember that your handsets are packed full of personal information such as phone numbers, passwords, and images.
So, you’ll need to peruse this data and download all of the items that you want to keep (such as images and password information), to ensure that this is backed up and stored in an encrypted location. If you’re keeping your SIM card, you can copy all information to this chip before removing it from the device.
Once this has been done and everything of value has been saved, you should proceed to do a factory reset on your smartphone.
This will delete all apps and personal data, restoring the device to its initial condition and ensuring that it’s safe to send on.
