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Cellphone Recycling: Recycle or Sell Old Phones

Pile of old cellphones and tablets sorted in a tray for recycling

Most households and businesses have drawers of old cellphones they no longer use. Cellphone recycling puts them to better use, whether that means refurbishing working phones or recovering the metals inside broken ones. Tell us what you have and we pass your request to an independent e-waste recycler or phone buyer near you, who will quote for collection or make an offer.

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What happens to old cellphones

Phones contain small amounts of gold, silver, copper and palladium on their circuit boards, as well as plastics, glass and a lithium battery. In phone recycling, working devices are tested, wiped and refurbished for resale. Damaged ones are dismantled: batteries are removed safely and sent for specialist recycling, and boards go to processors that recover the precious metals. The same applies to tablet recycling.

Wipe your data before recycling

Cellphones hold messages, photos, banking apps and contacts, which is personal information under POPIA. Before handing over a phone:

  • Back up anything you want to keep
  • Sign out of cloud and app accounts and remove device locks
  • Do a factory reset and remove the SIM and memory card

For company devices, ask the recycler for certified data wiping or physical destruction, with a report listing each IMEI or serial number.

Sell old phones or recycle a corporate fleet

Recent models in working condition can still have resale value, so it may be possible to sell old phones rather than pay to dispose of them. Companies replacing a fleet of handsets can often get a bulk offer that covers collection, data wiping and reporting. Older or broken phones are usually recycled for their materials. Mention the models and condition in your request so the buyer can give a realistic offer, and say whether chargers, cables and boxes are included.

How to choose a recycler for cellphone recycling

The lowest price is not always the best deal when it comes to e-waste. When you receive your quote, check:

  • Compliance – ask whether the recycler is registered with a producer responsibility scheme, holds the waste licences its operations need, and can name ISO 14001 or similar certifications.
  • Paperwork – make sure you will receive a certificate of recycling or safe disposal, and a certificate of data destruction listing serial numbers where data is involved.
  • Downstream – find out where materials go after collection, and that nothing ends up in landfill or illegal export.
  • Total cost or value – compare collection, handling and any rebate for items with value, not only the headline rate.

Our service matches your request with a recycler who serves your area, so you can check these points before you commit. It costs nothing and you are under no obligation to accept the quote.

Request a cellphone recycling quote

To get an accurate quote quickly, include:

  • Approximate number of phones and tablets, and the main brands and models
  • Whether devices are working, damaged or mixed
  • Whether you need certified data wiping and an IMEI or serial number report
  • Collection address, or whether you can drop off

Frequently asked questions

Do you buy cellphones yourselves?
No. We are a free quote service. Your request goes to an independent recycler or phone buyer in your area, who quotes or makes an offer directly.
Can I recycle a phone with a swollen battery?
Yes, but do not charge it and keep it somewhere cool. Mention it in your request so the collector can handle the battery safely.

Cellphone Recycling by province

Cellphone Recycling by city

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