Electrical recycling
How to recycle or sell an old mobile phone
Wipe your old phone, then sell it, give it to a charity or recycle it. Do not put it in a bin.
Sell it
High street shops such as CeX and Cash Converters buy working phones, especially with the box, charger and instructions.
Give it to a charity
Most charities accept old phones, working or not. They raise money by passing them on to phone recyclers.
Ask the shop
When you buy a new phone, ask the shop how to recycle the old one. Shops that sell electricals must offer a free way to recycle an old item of the same kind.
Tips
Broken phones can go in the small electricals container at most tips.
Up to 80% of a phone can be recycled
Recycle Now says up to 80% of a phone is recyclable, including metals such as silver.
Key facts
- Binmap lists 39 places that say they take mobile phones, including 30 tips.
- Another 684 places may take mobile phones, but they do not say so. Check before you go.
Last updated: 15 October 2026
Written by Binmap using guidance from Recycle Now and Recycle Your Electricals.
Advice from national bodies
What to do
- Back up your photos and contacts.
- Sign out of your accounts and reset the phone.
- Take out the SIM card and any memory card.
Mistakes to avoid
- Wiping your data is your job. Do not rely on the buyer or recycler to do it.
Kinds of place that take it
- Electrical recycling points
- Charity donation points
Guides for similar items
Other kinds of place
Schemes and collection services
Binmap is independent and is not run by any council.