Cell phones contain rare earth and toxic metals and should be reused, refurbished or recycled. They cannot be put in the trash, as our garbage is taken to the Columbia Ridge Landfill in Arlington, Oregon, a state that bans the disposal of many electronics, including those with screens measuring 4″ or greater diagonally.
Remember, before donating, be sure to take the SIM card out of your cell phone.
Reuse:
BuyNothing: Post them on the BuyNothing app. Plenty of neighbors could use old working cell phones.
City Hall – 280 Madison Av N. Give to the front desk. They pass them on to the YWCA ALIVE domestic violence program.
Recycle:
> Bainbridge Disposal Transfer Station – Place in dedicated electronics container
> Best Buy – 9551 Ridgetop Blvd NW, Silverdale. Go here to see everything they recycle.
Last updated 12/22/25