How to Recycle Old Smartphones Safely: A Complete Guide

The average household has multiple unused smartphones sitting in drawers — and most people aren't sure what to do with them. Smartphones contain valuable recoverable materials and significant amounts of personal data, making proper recycling both environmentally and personally important. Here's how to recycle your old phone safely.

Why Old Phones Shouldn't Sit in a Drawer

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), smartphones contain valuable materials including gold, silver, copper, palladium, and rare earth elements. Recovering these materials through recycling reduces the need for environmentally destructive mining. The EPA estimates that for every one million cell phones recycled, more than 35,000 pounds of copper, 772 pounds of silver, 75 pounds of gold, and 33 pounds of palladium can be recovered.

There's also a safety concern. Smartphones contain lithium-ion batteries, which can swell, leak, or even ignite as they age. Storing old phones long-term — especially in hot environments like attics or garages — increases fire risk.

Step 1: Back Up Everything You Want to Keep

Before wiping your phone, make sure your photos, contacts, messages, and app data are backed up. Most people use:

• iPhone: iCloud Backup (Settings → [your name] → iCloud → iCloud Backup)
• Android: Google Account backup (Settings → Google → Backup)
• Photos: Google Photos, iCloud Photos, or transfer to a computer/external drive

Step 2: Sign Out of Accounts and Disable Activation Locks

This is one of the most overlooked steps — and one of the most important. Modern phones use activation locks that tie the device to your account. If you don't sign out first, the phone may be unusable for the next owner or recycler.

• iPhone: Sign out of iCloud (Settings → [your name] → Sign Out) to disable Find My iPhone and Activation Lock.
• Android: Remove your Google account (Settings → Accounts → Google → Remove Account) to disable Factory Reset Protection (FRP).

Step 3: Remove the SIM Card and Memory Card

Pop out the SIM card tray (you'll need a SIM ejector tool or a small paperclip) and remove both the SIM card and any microSD memory card. SIM cards can store contacts and limited account information; memory cards often contain photos and downloaded files.

Step 4: Perform a Factory Reset

A factory reset returns the phone to its original out-of-the-box state, removing user data and apps.

• iPhone: Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Erase All Content and Settings
• Android: Settings → System → Reset Options → Erase All Data (Factory Reset)

Modern smartphones encrypt user data by default, which means a factory reset effectively makes the data unrecoverable on most current devices. For older phones (pre-2015 or so), encryption may not be enabled by default — in that case, enable encryption first, then factory reset, for the strongest protection.

Step 5: Decide What to Do With the Phone

You generally have three good options once your phone is wiped:

• Trade in: If the phone is recent and functional, manufacturer or carrier trade-in programs may offer credit toward a new device.
• Donate: Working older phones can sometimes be donated to charities that refurbish devices for people in need.
• Recycle: If the phone is broken, very old, or otherwise not reusable, take it to a certified e-waste recycler — never the trash.

Why You Should Never Trash a Smartphone

In California, it is illegal to throw smartphones in the regular trash. They are classified as universal waste because of their lithium-ion batteries and hazardous components. Beyond the legal issue, tossed phones can cause fires in waste trucks and recycling facilities — a risk documented by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

Recycle With Urban Electronic Recycling

Drop off old smartphones at our Corona facility Monday–Friday, 8 AM – 5 PM, or include them in a free pickup when combined with other electronics (5+ items total). We also accept tablets, smartwatches, wireless earbuds, chargers, cases, and any related accessories. Every device is processed responsibly — batteries are safely removed, materials are recovered, and nothing goes to a landfill.

Sources: U.S. EPA — Cell Phones and Sustainability; National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) — Lithium-Ion Battery Safety; CA Dept. of Toxic Substances Control — Universal Waste Rule.