So what exactly do you do with an old, shattered iphone? Recycle of course!
Ever wonder what happens to old mobile phones? I didn’t, until 02 called and asked if I had any to recycle. And then they said they could track the phone and see where it ended up.
Africa? Eastern Europe? Or most likely somewhere in the UK. I like the idea of the phone being gussied up, and given a new life, and not in a box in our attic gathering dust.
If you remember, I got the iPhone4 as soon as they came out. Unfortunately I shattered it just a week after getting it! I was too cheap to fix it, and used it for nearly 18 months, held together with cello tape! I was pretty proud of that.
So I went to O2 Recycle to see how much my old phone was worth. I was pleasantly surprised to see the site estimated I would get £210.00 for recycing my phone. I expect it will be slightly less than this given the smashed back, but golly gee, that is a lot. Scottish hubby is really excited, and has got out all our old phones to see how much they are worth.
I filled in all the info on the site and off went my little smashed iPhone, to the recycle center in Scotland, to be fixed and sent off to a new home. I wonder where she will end up?
Of course, I was very worried about getting all personal information off the phone before I sent it off. O2 kindly passed on the steps to remove all content from an iPhone prior to disposal:
1) Make sure you have copied everything you need from the iPhone (e.g. by backing up using iTunes)
2) Make sure the iPhone is fully charged
3) Select “Erase All Content and Settings” in Settings > General > Reset (for more background see: http://support.apple.com/kb/ht2110)
The time needed for Step 3 depends on the phone model – for our iPhone 4 it only took a few minutes.
So off went my old iPhone. I miss her already. Where will she end up? Does she miss me? I’m glad she is going to Scotland first … where she can wave at my inlaws!
Stayed tuned for the next installment … on what happens to my iPhone and her final destination.
Ben @ Recycling Smart Phones | 20th Jul 16
Recycling your smartphone will reduce electronic waste, help your outdated tech find a new life, support a good cause or even make a little money.
My phone made it to Hong Kong! | A Modern MotherA Modern Mother | 7th Nov 13
[…] you been following my little project with O2 Recycle? I recycled my shattered iPhone and O2 was kind enough to track her journey […]
Recording Systems | 21st Nov 12
Great Information and post! It is very informative and suggestible for the user of solar energy, May I think it can be beneficial in coming days…
Large Enterprise Business Solution | 19th Nov 12
Your work has always been a great source of inspiration for me. I refer you blog to many of my friends as well.
sell a cell phone | 6th Apr 12
This is a must read post.Recycling is the best thing which we can do with our useless old cell phones which are simply increasing waste in our drawers.Today recycling cell phones have become easier as many recycling companies online are taking old phones for recycling them.We must recycle our old phones instead of ending them into trash.
mrs green @littlegreenblog.com | 24th Jan 12
Thanks for joining in with the Brit Mums first green linky! I’ve found it fascinating to follow yours, mine and Karen’s phones. I know where mine has gone, but am still waiting to see if I can get hold of the actual recipient before I post again. It’s gone over 3000 miles though 😉
Can;t believe yours was worth so much; one man’s trash and all that …
The Undercover Granny | 11th Jan 12
That’s brilliant. Definitely better than all those unused phones ending up in landfill!
Scottish Mum | 9th Jan 12
I really must look and see what our old mobiles are worth now.
Ellen Arnison | 6th Jan 12
Thanks for this – the Selotape tip and the link to the recycling site. Do you know they also take cameras and games consoles? I’m having a hunt tomorrow.
A Modern Mother | 6th Jan 12
FABULOUS. Thanks for letting me know about Selotape, been here 20 years and haven’t figured it out.
A Modern Mother | 6th Jan 12
Yes, silver especially, very classy. x
A Modern Mother | 6th Jan 12
Well move back then!
Iota | 6th Jan 12
That’s good money! Will they tell you where she goes next?
I’m glad an iPhone is female by the way. Do you have that on good authority? Or does it depend on a phone’s owner?
I hate to correct you, but it made me chuckle that you don’t know how to spell Selotape instinctively. Perhaps you’d better stick (pun intended) to Scotch tape. And on the subject of puns and Scotch things, you could ask your husband what’s funny about ‘cello tape’ if you haven’t worked it out by now.
On another subject (bad comment etiquette, sorry), we’re just about to sort out our summer plans and book flights, and yes, I’ll be in England in June so will definitely come to BritMums Live! Yay!
Jody Brettkelly | 6th Jan 12
I’m a duct (or is it duck?) tape girl myself…always look edgier.
Expat Mum | 6th Jan 12
I’m glad you got some decent money for it. Over here we get about $10 for old phones and computers. Someone’s making a huge profit there!