Mobile Phone Recycling: What To Do With Your Old Phone

Often when people buy a new phone, the old one is relegated to the bottom of the junk drawer or worse – thrown in the bin.

With most Australians now upgrading their phone every two to three years, many of us are sitting on a pile of old devices that we’re unlikely to ever use again. 

So rather than contributing to Australia’s growing E-Waste problem, why not recycle, reuse or even sell your now-unwanted smartphone?

What is mobile phone recycling?

Mobile phone recycling means reusing your device once you have finished with it, to reduce technological waste. If you have already upgraded your mobile, or are planning to, you might be wondering what to do with your old device. There are many ways to reuse , recycle or dispose of your mobile phone, including:

• Sell it
• Trade it in 
• Give it away to friends or family
• Donate it to a recycling centre.

How do I prepare my old devices for recycling or reuse?

Before recycling your phone, you’ll want to make sure all your personal info is erased. You’ll also want to ensure you’ve transferred or backed up data such as photos, messages or music, and removed your SIM card from the device. Here’s a quick checklist covering the basics.

• Backup your phone’s data to accounts such as iCloud and Google, or to a computer or hard drive.
• Transfer your phone’s data to your new smartphone. This can typically be done via cable or through built-in switching assistants such as Samsung Smart Switch or Move to iOS app.
• Log out of accounts used on your device, such as social media, banking, email, etc.
• Disconnect any external devices connected by Bluetooth, such as headphones. You can do this by opening Settings and unpairing each accessory.
• Remove your physical SIM card from your phone, as well as the micro SD card if applicable.
• Erase your data from the phone by performing a factory reset. While this process may vary slightly between models, here is a general guide: 
• • iPhone users can find this in Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone
  • Android owners should go to Settings > General > Backup and Reset. 

How to recycle old phones via MobileMuster

MobileMuster is a government-accredited mobile phone recycling scheme managed by the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA). It’s the foremost tech recycling service in Australia and is supported by AMTA members including Telstra, Optus, TPG/Vodafone, Apple, Samsung and Google.

MobileMuster’s aim is to reduce the amount of E-Waste in landfills by disposing of your old mobile phone safely. It works to recover as much of your old phone as possible, typically being able to salvage more than 95% of each device. 

Once MobileMuster receives your device, it's disassembled into its main components – circuit boards, batteries, casing, screen, accessories and packaging.

Each of these components is separately processed through techniques such as shredding, crushing and heating, to recover materials, which includes:

• Glass 
• Aluminium
• Valuable metals 
• Plastic
• Paper/cardboard

These materials can then be used to make new products, such as plastic fence posts, stainless steel appliances, electronics or new batteries.

MobileMuster accepts mobile phones as well as other devices and accessories. Eligible items include:

• Mobile phones
• Tablets
• Batteries, chargers and accessories
• Modems and routers
• Landline phones
• Smart home tech (e.g. speakers, hubs)
• Wearables (e.g. smart watches and fitness trackers)
• Gaming tech (e.g. consoles, controllers)
• Cables

Where to recycle your mobile phone

Aussies can drop off unwanted tech at more than 3,000 MobileMuster drop-off locations across the country. You can find a complete list of drop-off locations by postcode on the MobileMuster website. 

MobileMuster donations are accepted at hundreds of participating retail stores, including Telstra, Optus, Vodafone and Officeworks. You’ll also find many city councils offer collection outlets.

How do I post my mobile phone to be recycled?

You can also send your old phone directly to the program by requesting a free prepaid mailing satchel. Mailing satchels can be ordered online from MobileMuster and are also available to pick up from your nearest Australia Post or JB Hi-Fi store. 

Alternatively, you can use your own packaging and simply attach a MobileMuster prepaid return label, which is available to download from the program’s website.

Trade in your smartphone

If you’re planning to upgrade to a brand new device, trading in your old handset can help save hundreds on the cost of a new phone. Telstra, Optus and Vodafone each offer plan credit to customers who trade in eligible phones. Manufacturers including Samsung and Apple also provide trade-in discounts to customers buying phones outright, making trade-in one of the best mobile phone recycling options for still-working devices.

The trade-in value of your old phone will depend on the model and storage size, plus your phone’s general condition. The newer and more premium your device, the bigger your trade-in credit is likely to be.

Amounts can vary between telcos and retailers, so you may want to shop around for quotes before deciding. Generally, the newest and priciest models can net you up to $900-$1,000 in trade-in credit, but keep an eye out for special deals. Telstra, Optus and Vodafone often run trade-in specials when new big-name smartphones hit the market.

If you’re considering trading up, here’s some estimated credit offered by Telstra, Optus and Vodafone for a range of popular phones in good working order. Prices are accurate as of December 2025. Please check websites for up-to-date quotes.

Source: Respective retailer websites. Accurate as of December 2025. 

If you do opt to trade in, you’ll need to complete an online form assessing the condition of your unwanted device. Follow the instructions on how to send or drop-off your old phone, and just wait for your trade-in funds to arrive; if you’re trading in via your current telco, you’ll most likely receive the value as bill credit. However, you may also have the option of directing the funds to a credit card or bank account.

Hand your phone down or donate it

If your phone is still in good working order, passing it on to a friend or family member is a great way to extend its use. According to Mobile Muster, 72% of children receive their first smartphones as a hand-me-down from parents.

Keep in mind that even if your child is too young for a working smartphone, you can also convert your old handset into a portable gaming device or MP3 player. Simply load your phone up with kid-friendly games and connect it to your home’s WiFi, no SIM or phone plan needed. 

If you don’t have family or friends in need of a second-hand phone, you may want to consider donating your device to a good cause. MobileMuster partners with several charities to redistribute working, but unwanted, phones to Australians in need, including The Reconnect Project and DV Safe Phone. 

All of these organisations help provide support and connection to vulnerable Australians, including people experiencing family violence, refugees, at-risk youth and families living in financial hardship.

Sell your old phone

Finally, you may be able to nab a few bucks for your old phone by selling it online. There are multiple Aussie websites that deal exclusively in old phones – such as Mobile Guru or Mobile Monster – but as with a telco or manufacturer trade-in, what you’ll get back will vary.

Newer phones in better condition will net you the biggest payday; for example, on MobileMuster the iPhone 16 Pro Max is valued at up to $1,100, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra at up to $900 and the Google Pixel 8 Pro at up to $490. But this will depend on the condition of your phone, as well as storage size. 

The good news is that even faulty or unworking phones can be sold through these platforms, although the value will be drastically reduced.