Sustainable Tips and Tricks comes to you from the Onondaga County Public Library (OCPL) Sustainability Committee to help integrate sustainable practices into your libraries and communities.
Get a sparkly new cell phone this holiday season? Here are some tips on what to do with your old phone to prevent e-waste.
Note that it is illegal to throw out electronic items with the trash as per the NYS Electronic Equipment Recycling and Reuse Act (NYSDEC).
Trade-in your old phone with your phone’s retailer or manufacturer.
Most companies (Apple, Best Buy, AT&T, Verizon, and more) have a trade-in program in which they will offer a discount or gift card in exchange for your old phone. Don’t forget to delete your personal information from the phone before you trade it in!
Drop off your used electronics to a NYS certified Electronic Waste Collection Site.
In Onondaga County, OCCRA recommends Bruin Recycling at 1001 Vine Street in Liverpool. Their recycling bins are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information go to: http://www.bruinrecycling.com/
Donate your cell phone.
There are few non-profit organizations in Onondaga County that qualify as NYS Electronic Waste Collection Sites. These include Goodwill locations in Clay, Cicero, Camillus, and Westvale, and the Salvation Army in Liverpool, North Syracuse, and Syracuse (both S. Geddes and Erie Blvd. East locations).
Cell Phones for Soldiers
A national non-profit org that resells or recycles your cell phone to purchase prepaid international calling cards for troops. To find local drop off stations go to:
https://www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com/