Don't toss your old cell phone in the trash. Recycle it! Just like computers, cell phones contain mercury and lead that are harmful to the environment.

There are several organizations that reuse cell phones for a variety of charitable causes. For example, "Call to Protect", is a nationwide effort that adds air time to donated cell phones and gives them to domestic violence shelters and agencies. Last year, Call to Protect issued over 37,000 cell phones to shelters and agencies. Individuals looking to donate their cell phones to Call to Protect, may request a postage-paid envelope to mail their donated cell phones to 2555 Bishop Circle W., Dexter, MI, 48130. Visit www.calltoprotect.org for more information.

Below are other options do donate your used cell phones:

Cingular Reuse and Recycle
Cingular invites consumers and business to participate in the tax deductible recycling of used wireless phones, accessories and batteries (regardless of the manufacturer or carrier) through the Cingular Reuse & Recycle Program.

CollectiveGood International
CollectiveGood recycles all donated non-functioning mobile phone batteries in an environmentally responsible manner through their relationship with the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation, and all unusable mobile phones are disposed of in accordance with all local and national environmental standards.

ECO-CELL
ECO-CELL is a cell phone recycling program for environmentally minded fundraisers.

Phones for Life
Donate a used cell phone. Phones for Life endeavors to improve the quality of life among seniors and others with special needs by meeting their emergency medical access needs through wireless technology.

Recycle for Breast Cancer
RFBC donates all the profits from its recycling efforts to support the fight against breast cancer.

RecycleWirelessPhones.org
Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association (CTIA) and its member companies are committed to the goal of sustainable development and the environmentally sound management of their wireless products at end-of-life. Through its Wireless . . . The New Recyclable program, CTIA educates the public on the options available for properly recycling used wireless devices. The program seeks to promote the collection of used wireless devices and ensure that collected wireless products will be managed properly.

Sprint Project ConnectSM
Sprint Project ConnectSM, a wireless phone donation and recycling program, raises money and support for people with disabilities while providing an environmentally friendly way to dispose of used wireless phones. Donated wireless phones are either recycled or resold, and a portion of the net proceeds from resale benefit Easter Seals and the National Organization on Disability (N.O.D.).

Wireless Foundation
The CALL TO PROTECT program enables people to retire their wireless phones in a manner that will help the environment and provide phones, with matching airtime, to domestic violence agencies.

Verizon Wireless HopeLine Program
HopeLine collects wireless phones that are no longer being used and the phones are either refurbished and recycled or sold. With the funds raised from the sale of the refurbished phones, Verizon Wireless purchases wireless phones and donates airtime to victims of domestic violence through human services and law enforcement agencies.