Read This Before You Recycle Your Old Cell Phone

This post originally ran on August 29th, 2008.

Recycling your old cell phone is a great idea and many charities accept used phones that they can either turned into cash or give to clients in need. But before you drop your phone in a collection box remember it's filled with personal data. You should remove personal information before you dispose of your phone. Permanent deletion usually requires several steps.

First, if you use a memory or subscriber identity module (SIM) card remember to remove it from the phone.

You'll also want to remove the following: contacts, any lists of calls (received and made), voicemails, sent and received email and text messages, organizer folders, Web search history and photos.

But manually deleting this information may not permanently erase the data--only the references to the data storage. The actual information is lodged deep within the phone's operating system.

The simplest way to completely erase the data is to take it to your provider. When you upgrade your phone take the old phone with you. Most providers will transfer the data to the new phone. But remember to ask them to wipe out the old phone. And you must ask for this because it's not part of their routine. The service is usually free as long as your upgrading. Some providers have a written policy that without an upgrade they will charge a fee to transfer and remove data. Still it's usually a nominal amount and well worth your peace of mind.

If you are the do it yourself type you'll find instructions on how to permanently remove all data in your phone's user manual. Your service provider may also list instructions on their website. But you better know what you're doing because I don't want you dropping my name and phone number into some data collection box and neither does anyone else.

Recycle technology items for free on America Recycles Day

I have an old computer that's been sitting in our basement for about 2-3 years. Partly because we forget about it, partly because we always think we resurrect it and partly because it's such a pain to get rid of. In the past we've gotten rid of them by donating, but not many places will take old computers anymore. Our recycling center takes them for a small fee, but I'm cheap and lazy and always believe that we could make better use out of the old beast. Honestly, though, no one in our household is savvy enough to make it useful again.

So imagine my excitement when I learned about Staples participation in America Recycles Day. Staples is offering to take old desktop computers, laptops, monitors, printers and fax machines this Saturday (11/15) for America Recycles Day. To sweeten the deal for each item you recycle the store will also give you a $30 off coupon to use in their store or online.

Staples is also running their Mountains of Technology program which donates $5 per recycled item to local high schools. The only stores participating in the Mountains of Technology are Littleton and Boulder. They'll divide their donations between three high schools in each area.

So don't forget America Recycles Day-Saturday, Nov. 15. Even if you don't have an old computer to take to Staples you can step up your recycling efforts.

Read This Before You Recycle Your Old Cell Phone

Recycling your old cell phone is a great idea and many charities accept used phones that they can be either turned into cash or given to clients in need. But before you drop your phone in a collection box remember it's filled with personal data. You should remove personal information before you dispose of your phone. Permanent deletion usually requires several steps.

First, if you use a memory or subscriber identity module (SIM) card remember to remove it from the phone.

You'll also want to remove the following: contacts, any lists of calls (received and made), voicemails, sent and received email and text messages, organizer folders, Web search history and photos.

But manually deleting this information may not permanently erase the data--only the references to the data storage. The actual information is lodged deep within the phone's operating system.

The simplest way to completely erase the data is to take it to your provider. When you upgrade your phone take the old phone with you. Most providers will transfer the data to the new phone. But remember to ask them to wipe out the old phone. And you must ask for this because it's not part of their routine. The service is usually free as long as your upgrading. Some providers state have a written policy that without an upgrade they will charge a fee to transfer and remove data. Still it's usually a nominal amount and well worth your peace of mind.

If you are the do it yourself type you'll find instructions on how to permanently remove all data in your phone's user manual. Your service provider may also list instructions on their website. But you better know what you're doing because I don't want you dropping my name and phone number into some data collection box and neither does anyone else.