| Americans love their cell phones but we are a | | | | with less expense than paying full price for |
| fickle group. Although certainly some phones | | | | the new phone with all the bells and |
| cease to function, many of us simply want the | | | | whistles, you might want to check out sites |
| latest and greatest. The average person uses | | | | that allow you to "trade". One such site is |
| a cell phone approximately 18 months before | | | | This site allows you to send in your old |
| replacing it. With 200 million plus users in | | | | phone and obtain a new phone at a reduced |
| the US alone, this presents an issue as far | | | | cost. The other option offered is simply |
| as disposal. | | | | taking cash for your phone. ( Users are |
| | | | able to determine the value of their phone |
| It is currently estimated that there are 500 | | | | via a search of the site. Not all models are |
| million cell phones sitting on shelves or in | | | | accepted but their list is extensive. |
| landfills in this country with an additional | | | | Another program that readily offers cash for |
| 2 million phones being added to this total | | | | old phones is |
| weekly. The EPA has designated mobile phones | | | | |
| as hazardous waste due to their lead, | | | | If you want to support charitable |
| mercury, cadium, and arsenic content. Thus, | | | | organizations you can investigate other |
| we are faced with the environmental/health | | | | options. The program allows users to sell or |
| issues that arise as well as the economic | | | | donate phones to their choice of several |
| impact of wasted resources. | | | | charitable programs. Another program, |
| | | | refurbishes donated cell phones to provide |
| So, what are we to do when the time comes to | | | | affordable wireless service throughout the |
| part with a beloved cell phone? There are of | | | | Caribbean and Latin America. Donations to |
| course numerous options when you are ready to | | | | the program are tax deductible. Additional |
| "trade up" or trash your phone. For those of | | | | donation programs include and among many |
| you who are wishing to rid yourself of not | | | | others. Most of these programs also offer |
| only your cell phone but also a current | | | | organizations the option of running |
| cellular contract, it may pay to investigate | | | | fundraisers by collecting and sending in used |
| the option of trading your phone and contract | | | | cell phones. |
| via subleasing. One such site that can | | | | |
| assist with this is | | | | One other option for your old cell phone of |
| | | | course is checking for available programs |
| CellTradeUSA basically connects individuals | | | | through your wireless service provider. For |
| who wish to get out of a contract with people | | | | instance, Verizon Wireless offers the |
| wanting to get in. You can post a free ad | | | | Hopeline program which collects phones from |
| indicating the monthly fee, the minutes, and | | | | any provider to assist victims of domestic |
| the remaining contract period that would be | | | | violence. They also conduct a battery |
| assumed. There is a single fee of $19.99 to | | | | recycling program. Similarly, T-Mobile has a |
| gain unlimited access to responses from your | | | | "Get More, Give More" program for recycling |
| posting. Once someone is found to assume the | | | | batteries, PDAs, accessories, and phones to |
| contract, the process is brief and simply | | | | benefit charities. |
| involves a credit check by the cellular | | | | |
| provider and signing a transfer contract. | | | | Once you've decided it's time to part with |
| This system allows users to get out of | | | | your cell phone there really are numerous |
| contracts early, pass along their phone to | | | | options. You can simply search on line for |
| another user, and avoid any early termination | | | | the recycling or disposal program of your |
| fees. | | | | choice, terminate services for your phone, |
| | | | clear the memory, remove the SIM card, and |
| If you are among those cell phone owners who | | | | move on. |
| simply wants to trade up without guilt and | | | | |