Most people don’t recycle their old iPhones. They get tossed in drawers, traded without a reset, or thrown away with data still inside. With 1.56 billion iPhones in use worldwide and 150.7 million in the U.S., this adds up to a serious problem—both for your privacy and for the planet.
Each year, around 284 million iPhones worldwide reach end-of-life, but with many devices sitting unused or stored away, only about 200 million are actually discarded.Â
In the U.S. alone, that’s an estimated 19 to 20 million iPhones leaving active use every year.
In this situation, the most responsible thing to do is to recycle iPhones. This guide breaks it all down clearly: how to prepare your iPhone before recycling, where to take or mail it, and what to do—and not to do along the way. You’ll learn how to protect your personal data, avoid common recycling mistakes.Â
Let’s jump right in!
đź’ˇ Key Takeaway: How to Recycle iPhones
To recycle an iPhone responsibly, back it up, erase all data, sign out of iCloud, and remove the SIM. Then take it to a certified electronics recycler—not the trash or a random drop-off. Certified recyclers ensure data safety, legal compliance, and proper e-waste processing.
Bay Area’s Trusted iPhone Recycling Partner
Don’t Let Old iPhones Become E-Waste — GreenCitizen Offers Secure, Responsible iPhone Recycling in the Bay Area.
The Do’s and Don’ts of iPhone Recycling
✅ Do’s
❌ Don’ts
- Back up your iPhone before wiping it.
- Sign out of iCloud and turn off Find My iPhone.
- Erase all data using “Erase All Content and Settings.”
- Remove your SIM card or delete the eSIM profile.
- Recycle your iPhone through a certified electronics recycler with secure data destruction.
- Use the Green Directory to find trusted local recyclers.
- Don’t throw your iPhone in the trash or regular recycling bin.
- Don’t leave personal data or linked accounts on your device.
- Don’t rely on sketchy mail-back programs or kiosks with no transparency.
- Don’t forget to recycle accessories like broken chargers and cases.
How to Prepare Your iPhone for Recycling
To prepare an iPhone for recycling, you need to back up your data, sign out of your Apple ID, turn off Activation Lock, erase the device, and remove your SIM or eSIM.Â
These steps protect your personal information and ensure the phone can be reused or properly recycled.Â
Here’s how to do it correctly.
1. Back Up Your Data
Before erasing your iPhone, back it up so you don’t lose photos, messages, or other important content.
- iCloud: Go to Settings → [your name] → iCloud → iCloud Backup → Back Up Now
- Mac or PC: Connect your iPhone and create an encrypted backup in Finder (Mac) or iTunes (Windows). This includes saved passwords and Health data.
💡 Pro Tip: Use encrypted backup to preserve your Wi-Fi networks, app settings, and health data—especially if you’re moving to a new iPhone.
2. Unpair Connected Devices and Sign Out
Disconnect your iPhone from any linked services or accessories.
- Unpair Apple Watch: Do this from the Watch app. It automatically backs up and resets the watch.
- Sign out of your Apple ID: Go to Settings → [your name] → Sign Out. This also disables iCloud, iMessage, and FaceTime.
3. Turn Off Activation Lock
Activation Lock must be disabled before you recycle or trade in your iPhone. Otherwise, it may be unusable for the next owner.
- Settings → [your name] → Find My → Find My iPhone → Off. You’ll be asked for your Apple ID password.
- If the phone won’t turn on: Go to iCloud.com → Find iPhone → select the device → Remove from Account
đź’ˇ Pro Tip: Most recyclers and trade-in programs will reject locked iPhones. Turning off Find My iPhone is a required step.
4. Erase All Content and Settings
This step wipes your data and resets the iPhone to factory settings.
Go to Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Erase All Content and Settings
This deletes all your data and destroys the encryption keys, making your information unrecoverable.
5. Remove the SIM Card or eSIM
Your phone may still contain account info tied to your number.
- Physical SIM: Use a SIM tool or paperclip to remove it. Keep or destroy it securely.
- eSIM: Go to Settings → Cellular → [Your eSIM line] → Remove Cellular Plan
đź’ˇ Pro Tip: Don’t toss your old charger just yet. If it’s a Lightning cable or USB-A power brick, you might still need it for your current devices. But keep in mind: new iPhones now ship with USB-C cables, and no charger in the box. If you’re switching to USB-C, recycle your outdated Lightning cables or old USB-A chargers—especially if they no longer work or aren’t compatible with your next phone.
âś… Before You Recycle Your iPhone, Make Sure You:
- Back up your data to iCloud or a computer
- Sign out of your Apple ID (iCloud, iMessage, FaceTime)
- Turn off Find My iPhone to disable Activation Lock
- Erase all content and settings using factory reset
- Remove your SIM card or delete your eSIM
Bay Area’s Trusted iPhone Recycling Partner
Don’t Let Old iPhones Become E-Waste — GreenCitizen Offers Secure, Responsible iPhone Recycling in the Bay Area.
How to Recycle iPhones (And Which One Actually Works)
To recycle iPhones the right way, use a certified electronics recycler that follows R2 or e-Stewards standards. These recyclers ensure proper data destruction, materials recovery, and environmentally safe processing.
While Apple trade-in programs and resale platforms extend the life of your phone, they don’t guarantee real recycling or responsible disposal when the device is no longer usable.Â
Here’s how each option works—and why certified recycling is the most complete solution.
1. Certified Electronics Recyclers (Best Option)
If you want to recycle your iPhone responsibly, certified electronics recyclers are the most secure and environmentally sound choice.Â
These facilities follow strict standards (like R2 or e-Stewards) and offer full transparency.
Why it’s the best option:
- Material recovery: Devices are carefully dismantled to recover gold, copper, aluminum, and rare earth metals.
- Safe disposal: Lithium-ion batteries and hazardous parts are processed safely instead of ending up in landfills.
- Data destruction: Certified recyclers follow secure wiping or shredding protocols (such as NIST 800‑88) to permanently remove your data.
- Chain‑of‑custody tracking: Many issue certificates confirming that your iPhone was responsibly recycled and not exported or dumped.
💡 Pro Tip: Always look for R2 or e-Stewards certified recyclers. These are independently audited to ensure proper e-waste handling and data security.
2. Apple Trade‑In and Take‑Back Programs
Apple’s recycling and trade‑in programs are convenient—but convenience doesn’t always equal accountability.
While Apple promises that devices are recycled or reused responsibly, it provides little transparency once your phone is turned in.
Apple’s closed‑loop system limits third‑party refurbishing and reuse, and the lack of traceability means you can’t confirm proper material recovery. If you want assurance that your old iPhone was handled responsibly, certified recyclers offer proof and transparency—something Apple does not.
3. Sell or Hand Down
Selling or giving away an old iPhone keeps it in use longer—a form of reuse, not recycling.
It’s fine if your phone still works, but this route has its limits.
What to keep in mind:
- Secondary buyers rarely recycle the phone at the end of its life.
- Many resale platforms offer no data security guarantees.
- Hand‑me‑downs often end up forgotten in drawers once they stop working.
If you sell or gift your phone, follow the preparation steps in this guide first—especially erasing data and removing Activation Lock—then encourage the next owner to recycle it responsibly when it truly reaches end‑of‑life.
How to Recycle iPhones: Checklist
- Back up (iCloud/Finder)
- Turn off Find My & sign out of Apple ID
- Erase All Content and Settings
- Remove SIM / delete eSIM
- Decide: recycle / trade-in / hand-down /Â
- If recycling: choose mail-in or drop-off, package safely
- (Optional) Ask for recycling confirmation
iPhone Recycling with GreenCitizen (for San Francisco Bay Area)
If you’re looking for a reliable way to recycle your old iPhones, GreenCitizen offers a complete range of secure, certified, and traceable recycling options—whether you’re an individual, a business, or managing IT assets. Since 2005, we’ve helped over 70,000 businesses and 400,000+ Bay Area residents recycle electronics safely, keeping over 32 million pounds of e-waste out of landfills.
Here’s how you can recycle your iPhones with GreenCitizen:
1. Bay Area Drop-Off Recycling for iPhones
Live near San Francisco, Oakland, Palo Alto, or San Jose? You can bring your old iPhones to GreenCitizen’s Burlingame EcoCenter for walk-in recycling—no appointment needed.
We accept all iPhone models—broken, outdated, or no longer functional. Devices are processed locally at our Bay Area facility and tracked through our proprietary GreenCitizen Total Accountability Management System (GTAMS). That means:
- No export to developing countries
- No landfill dumping
- Full traceability for every device recycled
đź“Ť Drop-off Location:
1831 Bayshore Hwy, Suite 2
Burlingame, CA 94010
📞 Have questions? Call us at (650) 493‑8700
Whether you’re recycling one phone or several, we make the process quick, secure, and transparent.
2. Business iPhone Pickup & Recycling (Bay Area)
If you’re an IT manager, office admin, or sustainability lead dealing with retired iPhones across your company, GreenCitizen offers scalable, trackable pickup services across the Bay Area.
From startups to large enterprises, we help organizations responsibly decommission iPhones while meeting ESG and compliance goals.
✅ What’s included:
- Pickups for qualifying loads (free in many cases)
- NIST 800-88 / DoD 5220.22-M data destruction options
- Chain-of-custody documentation for each device
- GTAMS-based reporting for audit, ESG, and internal tracking
📞 Schedule a pickup or request a quote: (650) 493‑8700
3. Mail-In iPhone Recycling (U.S. Nationwide)
Not located in the Bay Area? You can still access GreenCitizen’s certified iPhone recycling service by mail—from anywhere in the United States.
How it works:
- Fill out the Mail-In Recycling Form
- Package your iPhones and ship them to our Burlingame facility
- Choose optional data destruction services
- Receive confirmation that your phones were safely and responsibly recycled
Just like our local recycling, all mail-in devices are processed in-house and tracked through GTAMS—no third-party exporters or gray-market disposal.
4. Not Local? Use the Green Directory
If you prefer to recycle your iPhones locally, use our Green Directory to find certified electronics recyclers near you.
Just enter your ZIP code and select “cell phone” or “smartphone” from the item list. You’ll get a list of vetted recycling centers that meet environmental and data security standards—without the guesswork.
Data Security Risks When Recycling iPhones
Recycling an iPhone isn’t just about being eco-friendly — it’s also about protecting your personal data. Even after a factory reset, traces of sensitive information can remain on the device if not properly wiped or handled.
Old iPhones can still store:
- iCloud login credentials
- Messages, photos, and videos
- Apple Wallet payment data
- Health data and screen time logs
- Access to apps like banking, email, or two-factor authentication
That’s why it’s critical to choose a certified electronics recycler — not just any drop-off point or mail-in trade-in program.
Why Go with GreenCitizen
âś… Certified Data Destruction
GreenCitizen follows strict data-wiping protocols like NIST 800-88 or DoD 5220.22-M standards. These methods go beyond a factory reset by destroying encryption keys or physically shredding the storage chip.
âś… Total Accountability with GTAMS
At GreenCitizen, every iPhone is processed through our GreenCitizen Total Accountability Management System (GTAMS), so nothing slips through the cracks.
🧠“Erase All Content and Settings” Is Good — But Not Bulletproof
A factory reset does remove encryption keys, but it assumes no one will try to recover the storage chip. If your iPhone holds sensitive data (financial, health, business info), certified data destruction is the safest bet — especially before recycling or trade-in.
Bay Area’s Trusted iPhone Recycling Partner
Don’t Let Old iPhones Become E-Waste — GreenCitizen Offers Secure, Responsible iPhone Recycling in the Bay Area.
Don’t Just Upgrade — Recycle iPhones with Purpose
Recycling your old iPhone isn’t just the eco-friendly thing to do — it’s a critical step in protecting your personal data, reducing toxic e-waste, and supporting a circular electronics economy. With over 200 million iPhones discarded each year, how you dispose of yours truly matters.
By choosing a certified electronics recycler, you ensure your device is handled safely, your data is destroyed securely, and valuable materials are recovered for reuse. Whether you drop off, mail in, or schedule a pickup, the most responsible option is always transparent, trackable, and certified.
So before you stash that iPhone in a drawer or send it off in an opaque trade-in program, ask yourself: Is it truly being recycled — or just disappearing from sight?
Make the better choice. Recycle smarter.
