← Back to Guides
iPhone
iPhone Recycle Properly 2026 — Don\'t Trash Old iPhones
Old iPhone with no resale value? Don\'t throw in trash. Here is the proper recycling guide.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. This costs you nothing extra and helps keep this site free.
iPhone Recycling Quick Picks
Recycle prep
Premium screen protector for new iPhone
Premium screen protector iPhone
Check Price →
Premium screen protector iPhone
USB-C cable for backup before recycle
USB-C cable for iPhone
Check Price →
USB-C cable for iPhone
Microfiber cloth for cleaning
Microfiber cleaning cloth
Check Price →
Microfiber cleaning cloth
Cost Breakdown — All Options
| Where | Cost | Wait | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Recycling | Free, included with trade-in | Even if no value | Best path |
| Best Buy Recycling | Free in-store | All electronics | Convenient |
| Local e-waste | Municipality programs | Annual drop-offs | Free typically |
| Carrier programs | AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile | Recycle old phones | In-store |
| DON\'T trash | iPhones contain heavy metals | Environmental damage | Illegal in many states |
| Data security | Factory reset + sign out FIRST | Critical step | Don\'t skip |
Why iPhone shouldn\'t be trashed
iPhones contain: lithium-ion batteries (fire risk in landfills), heavy metals (lead, mercury, cadmium), rare earth elements. Landfill leaching contaminates groundwater. Many states (NY, CA, NJ, etc.): illegal to throw electronics in trash. Recycle properly mandatory.Apple Recycling Program
Even if your iPhone has no trade-in value: Apple recycles for FREE. apple.com/shop/trade-in. Generates $0 credit but properly recycled. Apple uses 100% renewable energy in recycling. Materials recovered (aluminum, gold, rare earths) go back into new products.Best Buy Recycling
Best Buy stores accept ALL electronics for recycling FREE. iPhones, laptops, cables, batteries. No purchase required. Drop in store. Store sends to certified recycler. Convenient + free + environmentally responsible.Local e-waste programs
Most US municipalities have annual e-waste drop-off events. Free. Find via: town website, county environmental services, search \'[your city] electronics recycling\'. Often combined with hazardous waste days.Carrier recycling programs
AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile: in-store recycling free. Bring any phone (not just their carrier). Drop in collection bins. Sometimes provides device discount. Easy convenience for carrier customers.Data security FIRST (CRITICAL)
BEFORE recycling: Backup iPhone. Sign out of Apple Account (Settings → Apple Account → Sign Out). Sign out of iMessage + FaceTime + iCloud. Settings → General → Transfer or Reset → Erase All Content and Settings. WAIT for full erase. Verify iPhone shows Hello screen. THEN recycle.If iPhone won\'t turn on
Cannot factory reset broken iPhone. Risk: data extraction by recycler (rare but possible). Mitigations: Apple Recycling (Apple-certified data wipe). OR physical destruction (drill through chip — extreme, voids any value). OR sell for parts via Swappa/eBay (buyer accepts data risk).Charity donation alternative
Working old iPhones: donate to charity. Domestic violence shelters (programs distribute to survivors). Veterans Affairs. Schools. Senior centers. Tax-deductible. Better than recycling for working iPhones — extends iPhone\'s useful life. Charity wipes data themselves.Mail-In Repair Service
Don't have time to wait for Apple? We offer mail-in repair with overnight return shipping.