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