How to Get Paid For Your Old Gadgets

The average two-year-old cell phone could be worth $50. (Stock Photo)

Your old cell phone might be more valuable than you think.

Nik Raman – who, as President of EcoSquid, knows a thing or two about recycling electronics – says that the average two-year-old cell phone is worth about $50.

“Recycling electronics can be a lot easier and more profitable than most consumers think,” he says.

EcoSquid aims to be the one unbiased resource to find the best, most reliable options for consumers to trade in their old electronic devices for cash.

At the Gazelle packaging station, employees pack used electronics to be reused. Photo: Nik Raman, EcoSquid

“Your old electronics are worth something,” Raman says. “But many people don’t know who to go to and what’s available. EcoSquid is that validation point aggregator and trusted source.”

The business pulls from a variety of cash-for-gadget companies, like Gazelle, to find the best deals for consumers on cell phones, tablets, mp3 players and cameras.

Simply visit EcoSquid’s website or Earth911’s Facebook page, enter the device model or brand and look at the specifics of the offer.

EcoSquid provides a run-down of details on the company making the offer, which includes a Better Business Bureau rating, average payment time and payment method. “The most important thing is that we’re only listing reputable companies,” Raman says. “We know they will pay what they say they will.”

EcoSquid also provides recycle-only options for computers and accessories like cables, rechargeable batteries and monitors.

“We’re working on creating a more robust system, but all of our partners are responsible recyclers. We chose them from what the EPA [U.S. Environmental Protection Agency] lists.”

EcoSquid is coming up on its first birthday in August, but it’s already saved almost 55,000 devices from the landfill. It estimates that equates to 3.8 million kilograms of CO2 offsets and 425,491 gallons of gasoline offsets.

A widget similar to the one on Earth911’s Facebook page is available for those interested in partnering with EcoSquid to aid in responsible electronics recycling and reuse.