Skip to content 
So, youโve got an old TracFone collecting dust somewhere in the house? Well, thatโs nothing new. Many people have their old phones put away in a drawer and forgotten.
That being said, this might be the right time to figure out what to do with the good old TracFone, rather than leave it to collect dust or worse, trash it.
With todayโs technology, the majority of people are doing away with their old phones to upgrade to new ones.
It makes a lot of sense especially when an upgrade means you can relish in all the bells and whistles that come with it. On that note, we have some suggestions and tips on what to do with your old TracFone.
Table of Contents
Reactivate it and Reuse
Itโs a good idea to re-activate your old TracFone and use it as needed.ย Many people end up throwing their phone away when they are done with it and never get around thinking of whether it can be reused or not.
If itโs in a fairly good condition and still working, consider re-activating it either for yourself or a member of the family. For instance, your kids may appreciate having a spare phone for communications in case their current phone gets damaged.
The good thing about having a TracFone is that you can use it at any time even if youโve already upgraded to a new phone. You can also use it for a few months if youโre not in the market for a new one.
Repurpose it
Repurposing your old phone is a good way to make use of it. You can use it as a home alarm, security system, and even as a baby monitor.
The possibilities are endless. Just take a bit of time to figure out what it can do and what it canโt. Youโll be surprised at the number of things you can do with your old phone. Furthermore, this initiative will save you a couple of bucks and itโs friendly to our environment.
If you are not sure, simply Google the hacks for your particular phone and you will get an idea of what it can do for you.
Sell it
Some TracFones are old but still pretty much working. For those that are in good condition, consider selling them on eBay or other outlets. Itโs a good way to get some money out of your old phone and you get to support your local economy.
Donโt forget about the accessories. You will need a charger, screen protector, and maybe even a case if youโre planning on selling the phone.
You can get a case online or in many retail outlets. That said, you should also consider whether all the hassle will pay off or not. If youโre not sure, simply keep it and wait for a couple of months to see how it goes.
Donate it
If you are not going to sell your old phone, consider donating it to a charity. Most charities require TracFones and they will be happy to have them.
The good thing about this particular method is that the phone will get a new life instead of lying around gathering dust.
Programs such as Cellphones for Soldiers will easily accept the phone as long as itโs working and find it a new home. You can opt to ship it to them or look for a local drop-off point.
Recycle it
The ecological benefits of recycling your old phone are immense. Recycling helps reduce the amount of waste that is produced in our landfills and it also helps clean up the environment.
Furthermore, it helps reduce the number of toxic materials that are released into the surroundings from some of the phone components. You can recycle your old phone at any local recycling center or you can simply drop it off at an electronics facility.
The good thing about this method is that you donโt have to worry about the phone not working. There are a lot of recycling centers that will accept it and they will make sure it gets processed in due time. This is usually the best solution when your old phone is completely obsolete or damaged.
What to do before getting rid of an old TracFone?
There are some simple precautions to be aware of before you give away your cellphone. For starters, back up all the important information and files.
This includes photos, music, documents, notes, and so on. Make sure you transfer everything to your new phone and back it up.
Secondly, sign out of every account and remove it from the settings. This is vital when youโre donating the phone or selling it. Also, delete any saved credentials to prevent the new owner from accessing those accounts.
You might want to change account passwords for that extra protection or simply factory reset the phone to ensure all saved passwords and data are removed.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many options for disposing of your old phone. The most important thing is to know that the phone is not going to waste and it will be used again or recycled. By doing this, you are helping the environment and saving a lot of money in the process.
FAQs
Can you just throw away an old phone?
Well, you cannot throw it in the trash because it will be disposed of in the same way as a piece of paper. You can always do it in a recycling center or simply drop it off at a local electronics recycler.
Is it safe to donate old phones?
Donating your old cellphone is a good idea as it will be put to good use instead of being thrown away. However, you need to be careful when donating the phone.
Make sure you remove all saved credentials and sign out of all accounts before giving them away.
How do I dispose of an old TracFone?
You can recycle it, give it away to goodwill or sell it.
