Smartphones pack more hazardous material into a small package than almost any other consumer device: lithium cobalt oxide batteries, lead solder, arsenic-doped glass, beryllium in some connectors. They also contain gold, silver, and palladium worth recovering.
Here's how to handle an old phone responsibly.
Step 1: Transfer or Back Up Your Data
Make sure everything you want to keep is saved before wiping the device.
iPhone: Use iCloud backup (Settings → your name → iCloud → iCloud Backup) or plug in and back up to your Mac or PC via Finder.
Android: Most Android phones back up to Google automatically. Check Settings → System → Backup to confirm.
Also check: photos, Signal messages (which don't back up automatically), authentication app codes (export them first), and any apps that store data locally.
Step 2: Factory Reset
iPhone: Go to Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Erase All Content and Settings. This wipes the device and removes your Apple ID, which is important before passing it to anyone.
Android: Go to Settings → General Management → Reset → Factory Data Reset. Remove your Google account first (Settings → Accounts) to disable factory reset protection, which would otherwise lock the next user out.
Step 3: Remove the SIM Card
Pop out your SIM card before dropping off the phone. You'll either want to keep it for a new device or return it to your carrier.
Step 4: Find a Drop-Off Location
Smartphones aren't covered under Washington's E-Cycle program, but most e-waste facilities accept them. Use the directory on this site to find facilities that accept cell phones.
Carrier stores (AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon) often accept old phones for recycling regardless of where you purchased them.
Can It Be Refurbished?
If your phone is relatively recent and functional, consider refurbishment options before recycling:
- Trade-in programs (Apple, Samsung, carrier trade-ins) — you get credit, the phone gets refurbished and resold
- Donation — organizations like PCs for People accept working smartphones for low-income households
- Sell it — a working phone in decent condition has real resale value on Swappa or eBay
Extending a device's life is always better than recycling it, from an environmental standpoint.
About 50 million metric tons of e-waste are generated globally each year. Smartphones are a significant and growing portion of that. A five-minute drop-off makes a measurable difference.