Cell Phones and Communication Devices

Cell phones, communication devices, and personal electronics can be recycled, but not in your curbside recycling cart or bin. Most electronics contain valuable metals that can be recovered through a special drop-off recycling program.

Retailer Recycling Programs

Cell phones can be recycled at mobile carrier retail locations such as AT&T, Best Buy, T-Mobile, and Verizon. Look for the in-store dropbox. 

Batteries Plus accepts cell phones, smartphones, and other devices. See details.

Best Buy accepts landline phones, hands-free headsets, two-way radios, wireless broadband, cell phones, smart watches, and other personal electronics for recycling. See details.

City Recycling Programs

In some communities, residents can recycle unwanted cell phones along with personal computer equipment. Many of the 59 communities in Cuyahoga County offer year-round collection and recycling of computer equipment. Some hold seasonal collection events at the city service department, typically in the spring or fall.

To find collection information for your community, use this website’s geolocation services, or choose your community from the green ‘Select a City’ drop-down at the top of the page and click 'See Details.' 

Other Recycling Programs

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo collects cell phones plus other small personal electronics and recycles them through ECO-CELL, an organization dedicated to gorilla conservation.

Cuyahoga County residents can recycle cell phones, mobile devices, computer equipment and peripherals, tablets, and handheld electronics at the Solid Waste District. The District accepts these items year-round at 4750 East 131 Street in Garfield Heights. Drop items off in the lobby during business hours Monday-Friday from 8:30 AM-4:30 PM. Look for the labeled collection bin. No bags or boxes in the recycling bin, please. Place items loose in our lobby drop box and take all bags, boxes, and containers home with you.

Cell phones can also be donated to local community service organizations that will reuse them. For local donation opportunities, see the list below.

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Looking to recycle, donate, or dispose of other items? Use the dark blue 'What Do I Do With?' search bar at the top of every page of this website. Allow location services or use the city drop-down to find opportunities in your local area.