If you plan to get a new iPhone, it’s probably also time to retire your old device. But what should you do with your old iPhone? If the device is already broken beyond repair, should you just throw it into the trash?
Let’s take a look at why you should not discard an old iPhone, and some eco-friendly ways to pass on your old iPhone instead.
Why You Should Not Throw Your iPhone Away
With consumer culture and mass manufacturing today, it has become society’s norm to buy new toys and simply get rid of old items when you do. Your broken iPhone may seem like just another small object. However, throwing it out contributes to the growing e-waste problem every year.
Many old devices are burned in incinerators or buried in landfills. These processes release toxic chemicals into the air we breathe and contaminate groundwater. E-waste has dangerous, far-reaching consequences that will eventually impact you.
Whether you have a still-functional or damaged device, we'd recommend taking one of these eco-friendly steps with your old iPhone instead.
1. Trade In With Apple
Your first stop can be your iPhone’s original maker: Apple. If you trade-in with Apple, you get credit that lets you save on your new iPhone.
Your iPhone’s model is the first factor that determines its value. For example, as of this writing, Apple's trade-in page lists the estimated trade-in value of an iPhone X as up to $200. For the iPhone 12, it’s up to $450. Apple Authorized Resellers offer similar trade-in services.
Keep in mind that those are the maximum prices offered. Devices that are in poor condition, or don't turn on, will get lower quotes. If your iPhone is deemed ineligible for a trade-in, Apple still offers to recycle your device for free.
2. Trade In With Online Sites
Maybe you're not impressed with what Apple offers for your old iPhone. Perhaps you’re not planning to buy another Apple product anytime soon, so the store credit isn't worthwhile. If this is your situation, an attractive option is to trade in with online sites and get actual cash instead.
Most of these companies will buy your old iPhone, even if it’s broken. This is better than Apple’s “recycle for free” procedure, because you receive cash for selling your damaged device.
Since we’re on the topic of being eco-conscious, you can also choose to sell your phone to trade-in businesses that engage in some form of corporate social responsibility. For example, GizmoGrind plants a tree for every device sold. BuyBack Boss helps donate your payout to Lighthouse for Hope.
3. Sell It as a Second-Hand iPhone
To sell second-hand, you’ll need to make sure that your old iPhone is still fully functional and in decent condition. Reach out to your friends in person, through text message, or on social media to see if anyone is looking for an older device at a reduced price. If you can't find any in-person buyers, try an online platform like Swappa.
The biggest benefit of selling the device yourself is that you’ll have greater control over how much you want to get for your old iPhone. You can negotiate the price one-on-one with potential buyers.
However, if your old iPhone is broken and unusable, nobody is going to want it. It's better to use the trade-in methods discussed above to get at least some money out of your device.
4. Donate It to Nonprofits
.jpg?q=50&fit=crop&w=1500&dpr=1.5)
Finding a new owner for your iPhone is not always about getting the right price. It can also be about lending a helping hand where it’s needed.
You can donate your old phone to nonprofits, such as 911 Cell Phone Bank. Its purpose is to distribute usable phones to the less fortunate in society, who often can’t afford new devices themselves. Since 2004, it has given more than 150,000 phones to vulnerable groups, including abuse victims and senior citizens.
Other organizations may give a list of drop-off spots for people to leave their recyclable gadgets. Once these devices are gathered, they're sold to recycling centers. This provides a source of income for nonprofits to sustain themselves, which in turn enables them to carry on the incredible work they do.
5. Give It Away as a Hand-Me-Down
If your iPhone is fairly new, another good option is to give it away as a hand-me-down. Try asking around to see if any relatives have a child who’s ready for a new phone of their own. Or maybe a close friend is looking for a newer model right now, but can’t immediately afford it.
Handing your once-beloved iPhone to someone familiar gives you confidence that your device will be enjoyed and cherished by good hands for several more years to come.
6. Drop It Off at Recycling Plants
If your iPhone is too outdated to work as a gift, or is broken beyond trading in, you can also choose to recycle it directly. This way, you’ll know your device is placed in the hands of recyclers, without an intermediary.
There are different recycling sites you can use to search for a recycling location in your area. They function as a directory. All you need to do is type in what you wish to recycle—in this case, a cell phone—and punch in your postal code.
The site’s map will then display all the nearby places you can visit to drop off your specific type of tech waste.
7. Repurpose Your iPhone
If you’re not ready to let go of your old iPhone completely, you can still make use of the features in your device.
There are lots of creative ways you can reuse your old smartphone. For example, you can download all your music onto the old iPhone and use it as a dedicated offline music player. You can also utilize it as a GPS by docking your old iPhone permanently in your car.
One last option is to keep it as a spare smartphone. If your new iPhone needs an emergency fix, your old iPhone will be around as a substitute during that time.
What to Do With an Old iPhone
Throwing your old or damaged iPhone into the garbage harms our planet. Through reliable trade-in services and recycling centers, you can help ensure that your iPhone’s valuable metals will eventually be melted down and made into new devices again.
If your iPhone is still functional, giving it away also extends your device’s lifespan and provides great value to those in need. By selling, donating, or repurposing, you’re taking the eco-friendly step to pass on your old iPhone responsibly.