With smartphone technology constantly evolving, you might decide to upgrade your mobile device. Instead of putting the old phone in a drawer or the trash, take it to a recycling center. The facility can use the plastic and metals to make other goods, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by eliminating the need to process finite raw materials. To protect your information before dropping off the device, below are three steps to prepare your device for recycling.

What to Do Before Recycling Your Mobile Device

1. Transfer Files

From photos to music, you probably have numerous files stored on your smartphone. So that you don’t lose all the data, transfer them to a memory card or cloud storage before heading to the recycling center. You can use the iCloud® service on an Apple® device or back up files on an Android® phone using a Google Drive® account.

2. Take Out the SIM & Memory Cards

Regardless of whether you transfer files to cloud storage or a memory card, remove the small memory chip from the phone. This ensures your sensitive information doesn’t fall into the wrong hands. To disconnect the phone from your mobile service provider, also remove the SIM card.

3. Return the Device to Factory Settings

Even if the hardware is taken apart at the recycling center, always restore the factory settings on the phone. This recovers the original operating system and deletes any leftover stored files. So that the information can’t be retrieved, encrypt the data beforehand.

To discard your old phone responsibly, contact the professionals at Round Bottom Recycling in Milford, OH. They will take the phone off your hands, preventing more waste from accumulating in overflowing landfills. They’ve been providing scrap metal recycling since 2006, so feel free to drop off your aluminum, brass, copper, and steel goods. To learn more about commercial and residential recycling services available in Clermont and Hamilton counties, call (513) 248-4435 or visit the recycling center online. Become a Facebook fan to learn about the additional environmental benefits recycling provides.