When you buy a new cell phone to replace one that's broken or outdated, there's an eco-friendly way to dispose of your old phone. The Long Island Sierra Club offers an ongoing Cell Phone Recycling Drive. According to the group, if you just throw out that old cell phone, it can leach toxic chemicals like arsenic, nickel, mercury, lead and more into the water table. Unfortunately, very few cell phones are currently recycled, so you can help by participating in the organization's recycling program.
If you go to www.liscphonedrive.com, you'll get instructions on how to download a free shipping label to send your old cell phone to them. You may also bring your old phones to any Long Island Sierra Club event.
All phones will have any remaining data removed. Working phones are given to those in need at domestic violence shelters, non-profits and other community-based organizations. Outdated phones will have toxic chemicals removed for re-use.
