Why should I recycle my mobile device?
There are several reasons why recycling your mobile device makes sense. Needless to say, by recycling your device, you are doing something positive for your local ecosystem. By mailing or dropping off your mobile device at a recycling location, you divert waste from your local landfills and help the environment. By recycling your wireless device, you also decrease the need for raw materials that would otherwise be needed for manufacturing new products. Your donation also generates revenue which is distributed to various charitable organizations across Canada.
What kinds of products are accepted through the program?
Our partners accept all mobile devices which connect to a cellular or paging network, including cell phones, smartphones, wireless PDAs, external aircards and pagers. In addition, headsets, chargers and other accessories are accepted.
What kinds of products are NOT accepted through the program?
We do not accept cordless phones, non-wireless PDAs, laptop computers or answering machines. Your community should have recycling programs in place for these items.
What brands and models are accepted?
Any mobile device – regardless of brand, model, age – can be donated at any collection site or through our mail-back options.
What if my mobile device doesn’t work?
Both working and non-working mobile devices are accepted. Non-working phones contain the same reusable materials as working phones and should be disposed of in a similar manner.
Does recycling my mobile device cost me anything?
There is no fee or charge to consumers for recycling their wireless devices.
Recycle My Cell is currently funded by: Bell, GEEP Inc., GREENTEC, Motorola, MTS, Nokia, ReCellular, Inc., Research In Motion, Rogers Communications Inc., Samsung, SaskTel, Sims Recycling Solutions, Sony Ericsson, TBayTel, TELUS, Videotron, Virgin Mobile Canada, and WIND Mobile
Where can I drop off my mobile device?
To determine the nearest drop-off location, click here.
What if there are no convenient drop-off locations nearby?
If there are no drop-off locations in your area, you can mail your mobile device using a pre-paid shipping label, available here.
What happens to my mobile device once I drop it off?
Your device (and its accessories) is sent to a recycling facility where it can be refurbished or dismantled for scrap, depending on the model and its condition. The scrap materials are then used to produce new mobile devices and a variety of other items.
Who benefits from the wireless devices returned through the various recycling programs?
A donation to participating charities is made for each device returned through the various recycling programs. Some of the charities benefiting from the recycling programs include the World Wildlife Fund, Tree Canada, Food Banks Canada, Jour de la Terre Québec, Resource Conservation Manitoba, the Provincial Association of Transition Houses of Saskatchewan and many other local charities across the country.
How can I ensure my personal information is safe?
After copying any information you might need from your old device, remember to reset its memory before you drop it off at a recycling location.
You can use the Cell Phone Data Eraser by ReCellular, Inc. (available for free), to help ensure your data has been cleared.
How do I know my wireless device will be handled and processed in an environmentally-conscious way?
All of the recyclers involved with our program are ISO 14001:2004 certified or certified under Electronic Product Stewardship Canada’s Recycling Vendor Qualification Program, meaning they have an environmental management system in place which ensures accountability and knowledge of the associated environmental impacts.
For more information on partner recyclers, please visit their individual web sites:
FCM Recycling
GEEP Inc.
GREENTEC International
ReCellular, Inc.
Sims Recycling Solutions
My question isn’t listed here. How can I find out more?
If you need more information about this program, email info@recyclemycell.ca or call
1-888-797-1740.