Cell Phone Recycling Programs Cell phone

Description of Cell Phone Recycling Programs Available to Maine Consumers

All businesses that sell cell phones in Maine offer free cell phone take back at their retail locations. Additionally, there are national programs that offer Maine residents other opportunities to recycle their cell phones. Many of these programs can help you raise money for your favorite charity or non-profit organization.

Through the Cellular Telephone Industry Alliance, member companies have established a program called “Wireless – the New Recyclable” to promote the recycling of cell phones through public outreach on its member companies’ cell phone recycling programs. These companies collect cell phones at all their retail locations; some also provide collection through free shipping. In Maine, these include:

Cell phone recycling programs are also offered by companies that are not handset manufacturers or wireless service providers. Those accessible to Maine residents include:

  • 911 Cell Phone Bank – This non-profit organization provides 911 emergency cell phones to participating law enforcement and affiliated victim services agencies.  www.911cellphonebank.org
  • The Body Shop – This personal care products retailer began offering its “National Cell Phone Collection Program” in September 2002 at all Body Shop stores. Proceeds are donated to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
  • Cell Phones for Soldiers – Started by two young teens from Norwell, MA in 2004, Cell Phones for Soldiers collects cell phones and uses the proceeds from recycling to provide soldiers abroad with prepaid calling cards. www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com/
  • CollectiveGood – CollectiveGood collects cell phones to benefit charities specified at its website through the mail (mailing costs may be covered by selected charity) and through collections organized by local partners (including Staples retail stores). www.collectivegood.com
  • ECO-CELL – ECO-CELL partners with conservation and public organizations to set up profitable local collection programs. www.eco-cell.org/
  • GRC Wireless Recycling – Through its “Recycling Alliance” and “Shelter Alliance” programs, GRC Wireless offers cell phone fundraising and recycling programs for schools, non-profits, religious organizations, community groups,, municipal recyclers, shelters, and social service groups. Donations of used cell phones are accepted from businesses and consumers. www.grcrecycling.com/
  • Kachengo – Contact this organization for a free mailer; they pay you 20% of the profit they get from re-selling your cell phone www.kachengo.com
  • OM Computer Recycling – OM Computer Recycling offers free recycling of cell phones and other small electronics, including laptops. They provide free shipping. www.omcomputer.net
  • Rechargeable Battery Recycling Program (RBRC) – RBRC accepts cell phones for recycling through its rechargeable battery collection program. RBRC collection boxes are currently available at over 150 retail locations throughout Maine; RBRC provides free collection boxes and shipping to municipalities. www.rbrc.org/call2recycle/
  • ReCellular – ReCellular offers cell phone collection and recycling program support to all kinds of organizations, including big box retailers, to help these organizations raise funds for charitable and environmental programs.
    www.recellular.com/recycling/

Please note: The appearance of a company on this list does not represent an endorsement by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection.  This list is not necessarily a complete list of all cell phone recycling programs available in Maine; you can find more programs by searching the web for “cell phone recycling programs”.