There might be more personal data in your old device than you can imagine. For example, contacts, photos, emails, text messages, passwords, accounts, business messages, and applications could still be connected to your device even though you have stopped using it. What should you do before recycling it?

Before cell phone recycling, you should consider protecting the data stored in it. First, save everything that you need to save, then log off from all the accounts, delete your personal information, and proceed according to the procedure recommended by the manufacturer. In case the phone was used for some business purposes, you may consider following some additional data security measures.

The aim of this approach is to combine responsible cell phone recycling with proper data handling. Recycling of your old phone could be very helpful to reuse electronic devices and their materials, but you should not forget about privacy.

Cell phone recycling goes beyond disposal of the outdated device. Cell phone recycling also takes into account how the phone would be disposed of after you have taken hold of it. Any information that could be accessed should it get to another person might become a privacy issue that was avoidable.

It is particularly important when recycling a number of cell phones at home or work. This way, it will be easier to make sure all the cell phones are prepared for recycling.

Your cell phone might be outdated, damaged or replaced by a new one, but this does not mean the information on the cell phone is no longer valuable. Consider data protection during cell phone recycling.