If you have no ideas what to do with your pile of old cell phones and (especially the batteries!) here is what to do!

#1 - You can donate them to the cause for *Troops Overseas*. I got a postage PAID white sealable bag about 2 months ago in the mail from the US government. I put one of my old phones with the battery) into the bag, sealed it by tearing off the tab and sticking the glued sides together and just popping it into the postal drop mailbox. DONE. The government thought up this idea and it's a good one (for once.)

This *MAY* be the site - http://www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com/

but I am NOT POSITIVE that is the same site. It doesn't matter though - it is a great site/service. These donated cell phones are then sold to a company that recycles them. The money received from recycling your old cell phones is then used to purchase calling cards that they send to troops overseas. This whole thing was thought up by a 13 year old boy. :} WAY TO GO KID!!

At the above site they ASK you to pay your own postage BUT they give you a click button to PRINT a FREE postage-paid shipping label - so if you don't want to foot the shipping; they absolutley WILL.

#2 - Donate them another way - there are 100's of places that will take them off your hands (or rather, out of your junk drawer): some places will even pay you a bit for them. They then refurbish the cell phone for re-sale again or they dispose of them properly.

The batteries are the worst part of throwing them away in your own garbage as they leak chemicals. Also they end up in a dump somewhere and a lot of dumps burn which makes ALL batteries explode, not just cell phone batteries.

The improper disposal of cell phones really is a serious threat to our environment. Every cell phone contains no less that 8 hazardous materials including Arsenic, Antimony, Beryllium, Cadmium, Copper, Lead, Nickel and Zinc!

Disposing of these phones in a landfill allows these substances to leach into groundwater and soil. Burning them in an incinerator releases chemicals associated with reproductive complications, cancers, and developmental problems especially in children.

2 years ago, more than 130 million cell phones were discarded. One cell phone can pollute up to 132,000 liters of water.

That is horrendous when you think of how many get thrown out every single DAY.

#3 - Some service providers will also take back their own phones for recycling. I wouldn't use a carrier who doesn't do this!

#4 - If you wish to get further involved you can have a cell phone fundraiser and go to the above web site that will tell you everything you need to know about how to get one of those off the ground:

They say they will help any organization (school, church, youth group, choir, non profit, business, club, Boy Scout troop, Girl Scout troop, band, cheerleading squad, soccer team, individual, etc.) raise money, while protecting the environment, through the collection of used cell phones and ink jet cartridges. Even just a private individuals can sign up to conduct a Phoneraiser.

I think this is a GREAT project for schools! Our children NEED to learn to recycle on a regular basis and it is ip to US to show them - WE need to set the example.

The same applies to laptops and PC's - PLEASE dispose of them ALL via a reputable recycling service center. Even if you don't recycle on a regular basis - recycling electronics very important in terms of the impact on our planet.