What do you do with discarded cell phones?
By dpk262006
@dpk262006 (58675)
Delhi, India
May 19, 2012 9:50am CST
Hi all!
I think many of us own more than one mobile handset. In the fast changing world of technology, we all crave for newer and latest version of mobile handsets because we are constantly bombarded by advertisements/news about new and latest mobile handsets. When we buy a new one, we discard the older one but normally keep it safely in our home so that the older ones could be used in case of need/emergency.
I have 2-3 handsets, which I do not use and they are lying waste but I do not feel like disposing them off. If I give those sets to any person, he may not accept it because they are older and technology has since advanced.
How many older mobile handsets are lying in your home? Do you like to throw away your old discarded mobile handsets in the dustbin or do you wish to gift the old handset(s) to someone who need it or do you sell the old and discarded mobile at throwaway prices or exchange it with new one?
Please share your experiences with us.
Happy weekend to all of you.
I think many of us own more than one mobile handset. In the fast changing world of technology, we all crave for newer and latest version of mobile handsets because we are constantly bombarded by advertisements/news about new and latest mobile handsets. When we buy a new one, we discard the older one but normally keep it safely in our home so that the older ones could be used in case of need/emergency.
I have 2-3 handsets, which I do not use and they are lying waste but I do not feel like disposing them off. If I give those sets to any person, he may not accept it because they are older and technology has since advanced.
How many older mobile handsets are lying in your home? Do you like to throw away your old discarded mobile handsets in the dustbin or do you wish to gift the old handset(s) to someone who need it or do you sell the old and discarded mobile at throwaway prices or exchange it with new one?
Please share your experiences with us.
Happy weekend to all of you.8 people like this
33 responses
@Sanitary (3968)
• Singapore
24 May 12
I do have some old cellphones at home for backup purpose. Before that, i had at leats dozens of them. I managed to sell them off for a little price and i'm glad to receive a token sum for those outdated models. It's better than throwing them away. Besides, when batteries and electronic parts are concerned, it's safer to hand them to proper person for proper disposal. After all, i don't want to pollute mother nature since i don't know the how to dispose them. As such, i would rather get some grocery money with those old phones,
1 person likes this
@dpk262006 (58675)
• Delhi, India
24 May 12
Hi sanitary!
Nice to see you here in my post.
It appears that you are very found of mobile handsets and you have purchased a number of sets in the past. It was wiser on your part that you sold them and got good bargain, instead of retaining them.
Yes, e-waste is big cause of pollution and we should do something about it.
Thanks for sharing and enriching the post. 
Nice to see you here in my post.
It appears that you are very found of mobile handsets and you have purchased a number of sets in the past. It was wiser on your part that you sold them and got good bargain, instead of retaining them.
Yes, e-waste is big cause of pollution and we should do something about it.
Thanks for sharing and enriching the post. 1 person likes this
@shwetat195 (628)
• India
20 May 12
hi deepak, that's an interesting topic. let me tell you that it does not apply to me at all. i dont like changes so i have a mobile phone which has been with me for past 7 years now. the mobile has an audio issue however i am trying to manage till it is totally out.
my hubby has three mobiles in the past three years and i have safely kept them in my locker to use them one by one when mine goes out...
i guess i am trying to be economical as well....:)
@dpk262006 (58675)
• Delhi, India
24 May 12
Hi Shweta!
Nice to see you here.
OH MY Gosh! You have been using a mobile phone, which is 7 years old.
. It proves that you have lots of patience and forbearance and you could 'control' yourself and you are 'economical'. These are wonderful traits and must be appreciated.
You could use the discarded phones of your husband, provided you keep 'charging' their battery etc.
Have a great day!
dpk
. It proves that you have lots of patience and forbearance and you could 'control' yourself and you are 'economical'. These are wonderful traits and must be appreciated.
You could use the discarded phones of your husband, provided you keep 'charging' their battery etc.
Have a great day!
dpk@shwetat195 (628)
• India
24 May 12
It feels good to be appreciated. thanks. yes, when it comes to money i usually do not waste it and try to make use of item/mobiles as much as possible. :)
i have a base model of the mobile. and has no extra feature besides talking. so i guess it has survived till date some how.
My hubby's mobile are quite jazzy and tempting. yes i keep his phones ready to use kind....:)
@mayka123 (16584)
• India
21 May 12
MY kids were in the habit of buying new cell phones every year so I had a collection of about 6 old handsets at home. There are a lot of exchange offers available in the market and my kids are now suggesting that I give away all the old handsets and buy a new model. May be you can send me your handsets too so I can get a better and costlier mobile for myself!!! lol
1 person likes this
@dpk262006 (58675)
• Delhi, India
24 May 12
Hi mayka!
I have not exactly come across any 'exchange offer' shop.
I feel that your children have given you good idea to exchange to old handsets, which you should do.
Thanks for joining us.
I feel that your children have given you good idea to exchange to old handsets, which you should do.
Thanks for joining us.
@gaiza12 (4884)
• Philippines
19 May 12
I also don't know what to do with my old phones. Some of our old phones are still lying on our old room in our old house. We don't know what to do with them so we left it there. I still have another phone with me now that I no longer use, but since it has a great value to me I am keeping it and I am not planning to do anything with it. I am just hoping that as time flies, I still will be able to use that phone no matter how obsolete it may already be. I can't remember throwing away an old phone, selling it and changing it with a new one would be appropriate. 1 person likes this
@dpk262006 (58675)
• Delhi, India
24 May 12
Hi there!
I do not think you will be able to use your obsolete phones, as they will become outdated technology-wise.
@gaiza12 (4884)
• Philippines
28 May 12
I still see a few people using nokia 3310 phones, are they obsolete now? Because if they are, they shouldn't be working by now. My other phone, a Sony Erickson one, is no longer being sold in any stores now, or maybe I don't see it anymore here in our place, but I still use it, and it sure does works fine.
@beachdune (907)
• India
19 May 12
Exactly . I do have a few old cell phones which I used previously but never used them since I buy the new one . I usually get new phone from my company even year of two . So I have some old outdated models at my home because I may use them in time of emergency if my current phone stops working . And nobody will actually take those phone because they are very old , though decent . Those phones were top end phones when I bought them .
I have a Nokia 6600 which was the highest end phone available in India during its launch in 2005 . I also have a Nokia n70 which again was a top end model back in 2007 . At that time , there were no touch screen phones in India and n70 was a cool thing to own . Also I have a Nokia 2330 which I got as a gift long back . All these phones were cool devices back in those days and all of them still work great . I am not going to give them now because I want to save them for future when I can sell them for a better price as antiques .
@dpk262006 (58675)
• Delhi, India
19 May 12
Hi!
You have an awesome collection of Nokia's special phones. The models you have mentioned were really much in demand and were considered as status symbols when they were initially launched. It is a good idea to sell them as antique pieces, provided you could safely keep them for 100 years.
Thanks for sharing your experiences.
Thanks for sharing your experiences.@beachdune (907)
• India
19 May 12
An item becomes an antique once it becomes 60 years old and I definitely feel that I can keep them for that long . Have you seen that "pawn stars" program on tv ?? My phones will be definitely in one such shop after 50 years and I am sure they will definitely fetch me some money then . But I must make sure they keep in working condition till then . There will definitely be some buyers for that .
@dpk262006 (58675)
• Delhi, India
20 May 12
hi!
I doubt if you could maintain your cell phones even for 60 years. Its battery will get discharged after battery's life gets over and probably you won't be able to find a battery for an old model.
@viju0410 (2286)
• India
21 May 12
Hi dkp,
I think it is time for me to ask for a handset as a gift then....
I personllay feel there is no need to store so many handsets at home. Agreed, in case of an emergency you can take another handset for the timebeing, one one is enough i think.
Seriously, the best way to discard the cell phones are by recycling them. I am not sure if you are aware of not, Nokia plant a tree for every cell that is recycled. Also wwfindia encourages recycling of mobile phones to ensure a sustainable use of natural resources and to reduce pollution. Don't you think so this is another good way of promoting 'greenary' around us?
No friend, i have no spare cell and infact i haven't upgraded my cell phone for a while now.
I personllay feel there is no need to store so many handsets at home. Agreed, in case of an emergency you can take another handset for the timebeing, one one is enough i think.
Seriously, the best way to discard the cell phones are by recycling them. I am not sure if you are aware of not, Nokia plant a tree for every cell that is recycled. Also wwfindia encourages recycling of mobile phones to ensure a sustainable use of natural resources and to reduce pollution. Don't you think so this is another good way of promoting 'greenary' around us?
No friend, i have no spare cell and infact i haven't upgraded my cell phone for a while now.
@dpk262006 (58675)
• Delhi, India
24 May 12
Hi viju!
Do you want me to gift a handset to you?
I have heard about Nokia's efforts but I've not tried it seriously.
Thanks for reminding, I'll check again.
Do you want me to gift a handset to you?
I have heard about Nokia's efforts but I've not tried it seriously.
Thanks for reminding, I'll check again.
@patgalca (18174)
• Orangeville, Ontario
19 May 12
Unfortunately we have held onto our old cell phones. My one daughter uses her old cell phone as an alarm clock. We also pulled them out recently to look at the pictures that were on them and got a few laughs out of that. We should probably recycle them but for some reason I can't bear to part with them.
@dpk262006 (58675)
• Delhi, India
24 May 12
Hi there!
It is interesting to note that your daughter uses the old phone as an alarm clock.
You should immediately transfer the images from your old phone to your PC/laptop/new mobile to preserve them for longer period.
Thanks for sharing.
.
You should immediately transfer the images from your old phone to your PC/laptop/new mobile to preserve them for longer period.
Thanks for sharing.
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
20 May 12
Over here One can donate old phones to charities. I just typed in ask.com how to donate cell phones in India and it said Aircel has a program. If you are a Aircel Subscriber call 5800000.
@dpk262006 (58675)
• Delhi, India
24 May 12
Hi sarah!
Unfortunately I don't have 'Aircel' connection. Thanks for researching me.
1 person likes this
@laydee (12798)
• Philippines
20 May 12
Oh my gosh I got a lot of those! They're still in good condition and all accessories are still in tact. It's just I've been given phones that's why I had to "upgrade" but in the end I still love them to bits. I have often thought of selling them but to who?
Have a great MyLot experience ahead!
@dpk262006 (58675)
• Delhi, India
24 May 12
Hi lay!
It means that you have been keeping older handsets without bothering what would you do with them in future.
1 person likes this
@laydee (12798)
• Philippines
24 May 12
True. But I don't just leave them be. I actually take out the batteries so that they won't damage the phones. I would love to donate, but to whom? Pretty sure that most of the phones out there are better. Plus, donating it to the poor might not be a good idea. Instead of them worrying about where to find food, they'd go worrying how to load the damned thing. hehehe..
@toniganzon (72285)
• Philippines
21 May 12
I changed mobile phones every two years or less since 1998 or 1999. I usually give them to my brother. The phone i had three years ago, i gave it to my nanny. It's touchscreen. Most of my phones were high end ones so they usually last years and they don't get broken no matter how many times they fell.
Right now i'm using two smartphones and getting a new one soon since the blackberry is almost two years old. I'll be giving it to my sister.
@dpk262006 (58675)
• Delhi, India
24 May 12
Hi toni!
I think among many respondents, you are the only one who says that you keep changing your handsets and you keep buying only high end sets. I agree with you that expensive handsets are hard to discard and they do not go in a bad shape/condition easily.
Thanks for sharing.
I think among many respondents, you are the only one who says that you keep changing your handsets and you keep buying only high end sets. I agree with you that expensive handsets are hard to discard and they do not go in a bad shape/condition easily.
Thanks for sharing.
@jureathome (5361)
• Philippines
20 May 12
There are many cellshops around town that accepts defective phones for a fair price. I've sold 2 units that still look good in the outside but would no longer turn on or have minor defects. They can actually repair them and resell the units for a good price.
I've also handed down a couple units to my brother and sister, who are willing to accept my older phones. It only needed a new keypad or shell, and it should be good as new.
@dpk262006 (58675)
• Delhi, India
24 May 12
Hi there!
This appears a good idea. However, those shops give you very less price for your handsets and you feel like keeping it with you, instead of selling it at dirt cheap price.
It is good that your siblings gladly accepted your old phones.
@jureathome (5361)
• Philippines
24 May 12
But if the phones are really damaged and I can't even use them without paying for repair, then I'd rather take their low offer. I could use the extra money for phone minutes.
@JHkerriokey (105)
• United States
20 May 12
I'm not a huge technology follower myself and tend to wear a cell phone out before i get a new one. however, there have been the rare occasion where the cell was still nice when i got a new one, though out dated. I always try to find some heart felt program to donate it to. Such as Phones for Soldiers and the abused. When I have needed to be rid of a cell there always seems to be a semi-local drop off place. Delete the info and drop it off. It's nice to think you've done something good for someone :)
@dpk262006 (58675)
• Delhi, India
24 May 12
HI !
It is nice to hear that you donate your old handsets. It shows that you are very kind hearted.
@danishcanadian (28953)
• Canada
19 May 12
In Canada and the USA most cellphone retailers take back old cellphones, so they can be refurbished and sent to the under privileged.
@kalav56 (11464)
• India
19 May 12
.Nice discussion topic and everyone would find it relevant these days. I never had much use of cell phone earlier and my husband also did not use it.But, when my son upgraded his cell phone he gave his to my husband and it became my husband’s. Later when my son upgraded his second phone he gave the first [earlier updated
phone ] to me and this became mine. He gave another one to my dill when she wanted to upgrade her old one and this old one is being used for contingencies. Sadly, my phone is now not working properly and I can only see messages in this. In all, all of us seem to have one phone in hand though mine is now not working. So, here comes the answer to your question. Though mine is not in working condition I do not have the heart to buy another one because there is not much use for it.We have still not discarded any as such.
phone ] to me and this became mine. He gave another one to my dill when she wanted to upgrade her old one and this old one is being used for contingencies. Sadly, my phone is now not working properly and I can only see messages in this. In all, all of us seem to have one phone in hand though mine is now not working. So, here comes the answer to your question. Though mine is not in working condition I do not have the heart to buy another one because there is not much use for it.We have still not discarded any as such.@dpk262006 (58675)
• Delhi, India
24 May 12
Hi Kala!
Thanks for appreciating the topic.
I can understand that when your son upgrade his phone(s), the older ones land in your lap. I know that you might not be using them as frequently, as those people use who are required to be outside their homes.
Do you enjoy using it?
Thanks for appreciating the topic.
I can understand that when your son upgrade his phone(s), the older ones land in your lap. I know that you might not be using them as frequently, as those people use who are required to be outside their homes.
Do you enjoy using it?
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
19 May 12
I have 3 old cell phones in my home. I have two old Nokia phones and the last phone is a cell phone that I got from my father. He had bought it for himself, but he got very tired of it because it was a very complicated to use. He gave it to me and I used it for a short period. I also found it very complicated and I was never able to remember how to use it. It has the thickest manual I have ever seen and I never understood half or it I keep that phone, but I don't use it, maybe I will try to read the manual again one day. I keep my two old Nokia phones, they are my emergency phones when my current cell phone breaks down. I have had some problems with my current phone and sometimes I need to use the emergency phones.
I keep that phone, but I don't use it, maybe I will try to read the manual again one day. I keep my two old Nokia phones, they are my emergency phones when my current cell phone breaks down. I have had some problems with my current phone and sometimes I need to use the emergency phones.@dpk262006 (58675)
• Delhi, India
24 May 12
Hi there!
It means that you have been using three phones simultaneously and you are comfortable with it.
@allknowing (130066)
• India
20 May 12
My first one was when there was a 'Dhirubhai Ambani' offer and I still enjoy that concession. That hand set got ruined while I was bed resting due to an accident. It fell under my pillow. I had to discard it and then I got another one which is again redundant as its battery is old and cannot be replaced. I now have a new one but as plain as possible. I do not require any modern versions as my needs are limited.
I am sure there will be no takers for the discarded one - I can sell it as junk may be!
@dpk262006 (58675)
• Delhi, India
24 May 12
HI ak!
Reliance phones were introduced long back and one of my friends still carries one. I also think that there would hardly be any taker for the old models/handsets and even junk dealer may not interested in those sets.
@ladyhemingway (965)
• Philippines
20 May 12
Whenever I have extra mobile phone, I always give it to my younger cousins, but that seldom happens because I am not very eager to keep up with the latest trend when it comes to phone. I still use my beat up Nokia phone and I am fine with it
@dpk262006 (58675)
• Delhi, India
24 May 12
Hi there!
You are wiser that you do not run after new models and feel satisfied with your older phones.
@dpk262006 (58675)
• Delhi, India
24 May 12
If you could recycle them then it would be the best option.
Thanks for sharing.
