[Hidden-tech] Recycling iPhones

[Geraldine Mortell]

With the interest in the group about recycling technological items, I thought that at least parts of the article below might be of interest to some people in the group.
Gerri





Recycle With iPhone 5 due, some suggestions on what to
do with your old iPhone

Published:
Tuesday, September 11, 2012, 8:02 PM     Updated: Tuesday,
September 11, 2012, 8:03 PM

By The Associated Press 

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By BARBARA ORTUTAY | AP Technology
Writer

File photo | Associated Press06.24.2010 | Piotr Kubiak of
Oakland, Ill., shows off his new iPhone 4, right, next to his old iPhone
outside of an Apple store, in Chicago. Millions of people will likely buy new
iPhones after Apple's expected announcement of a new model on Wednesday, Sept.
12, 2012. The new phones would join some 244 million iPhones already sold since
the first one launched in 2007. Some have been lost, some stolen and some are
still in use. But it's fair to say that millions of iPhones are languishing in
desk drawers or gathering dust. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato, File)

NEW YORK — In case you haven't heard
by now, Apple is unveiling its latest iPhone
on Wednesday. That leaves the question: What should you do with your old one?

The new phones will join some 244
million iPhones
sold since the first one launched in 2007. Some have been lost or stolen. Some
of us are still hanging on to our old gadgets in some futile attempt to resist
the constant upgrade cycle that technology companies are forcing on us.

But it's fair to say that millions
of iPhones are languishing in desk drawers or gathering dust. Here are a few
things to do with yours to keep it from meeting that fate once you buy the
iPhone 5.

 

 

1. Give it to your kids so they stop
taking yours ...

Every parent, aunt and uncle knows
that no toy in the history of toys has ever been as appealing to a kid as an
iPhone. They are shiny, they have games and grown-ups use them for important
things. More importantly, they are either off-limits or doled out in limited
quantities as a reward for, say, sitting still for a minute. Load up your old
iPhone with games and give it to a deserving child in your life.

2. ... or to your mom so she can
finally see the light

Alternately, if a Luddite adult has
been thinking of taking the plunge into the world of smartphones, your old
iPhone may help him or her get over the hump. If you have an iPhone 4 or 4S,
you might also find someone who's still hanging on to an earlier model and give
them the gift of an upgrade. You may just buy a friend for life (or at least
until iPhone 6 comes out).

3. Use it as a teeny-tiny iPad

You'll be able to watch videos, send
email and search Wikipedia for random facts to end cocktail-party disagreements
with your decommissioned iPhone — as long as you have a Wi-Fi connection.
There's even a camera, which means you can avoid being that guy (or gal) at the
concert who's turning heads for taking photos with an iPad.

4. Donate to charity

Several charities accept old phones
for donation, though it's worth remembering that these groups likely won't
physically give your old phones to people in need. Rather, they work with phone
recyclers and sell your donated phones to them.

A nonprofit group called Cell Phones
for Soldiers will take your "gently used" phone and sell it to recycling
company ReCellular. It will then use the proceeds to buy calling cards for
soldiers.

The National Coalition Against
Domestic Violence works with another recycling group in a similar manner. About
60 percent of the phones it collects are refurbished and resold. The money goes
toward supporting the coalition. The remaining 40 percent of the phones are
recycled, according to the group's website. It pays for shipping if you are
mailing three or more phones.

There are a few more suggestions
from New York's Department of Environmental Conservation at: http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/8818.html.

5. Alarm Clock

Do you still use that old radio
alarm you bought for your college dorm room in the 20th century? Join the 21st
century by turning your old iPhone into an alarm clock. Hide it in a different
spot in your bed each night for an added challenge.

 

6. Sell, sell, sell!

Join the eBay hordes and sell your
phone for a few hundred bucks if you can. There will likely be a flood of the
gadgets soon after people start getting their new phones, so it might make
sense to wait a little.

A company called Gazelle, meanwhile,
will make an offer for your old phone based on its condition, your phone
carrier and other information. A 32 gigabyte iPhone 4S on Verizon Wireless, for
example, was recently going for $237 if it's in good condition and $90 if it's
broken.

Glyde.com also offers to help you
resell your old phone. A recent check showed the above 4S getting roughly $325
to $350 after fees are deducted — provided there is a buyer. A "speed
sale" that guarantees to sell it in seven days will get the seller
slightly less money.

7. Trade in at GameStop

The video game retailer offers cash
or store credit for old iPhones (along with iPods and iPads). The service is
only available in stores and not online. A 32 gigabyte iPhone 4S on Verizon
will get you up to $335 in store credit or up to $268 in cash.

8. Stream music

Stick that baby in a speaker dock,
spring for a Pandora subscription ($36 per year) or Spotify ($10 per month) and
bam, you have a stereo.

Or try SoundCloud. Although it's
meant to let you create and share music with people, it's also a good place to
listen to DJs you like or discover new ones. TuneIn, meanwhile, will let you
listen to online radio stations playing music, sports, news or talk shows.

9. Keep as a backup in case you lose
your fancy new one

Nearly one-third of cellphone owners
have had their gadgets lost or stolen, according to a recent survey from Pew
Internet & Pew Internet & American Life Project.

10. Use as a camera

At its core, a decommissioned iPhone
is a hard drive with a camera. Snap photos with it. No Canon needed. You can
also use the iPhone to move photos and other files from one computer to
another.

11. Recycle with Apple

Apple Inc.'s own recycling program
will give you an Apple gift card if it is determined to have a "monetary
value." A 32 gigabyte iPhone 4S with some light scratches but in good
working condition was recently estimated at $280. That's higher than Gazelle,
but you'll have to spend the money at Apple. The company also accepts broken
phones for recycling but you won't get any money for them.

Related topics: apple, iphone, technology


 


 		 	   		  
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