Cell phone ADDICT

I'm a middle-of-the-road cell phone addict. I don't have to have the latest greatest new model the day it's released, but I average about a phone a year anyway, never making it through my 2-year contract, because they make these devices so breakable and drown-able. I won't live without my smart phone either. It covers my phone, news, video game, music, online banking, and other needs, all in one tiny addicting package.

The problem with the phone-a-year culture? The devices are not only expensive, but also contain rare earth elements that contribute to mining-related environmental concerns and a foreign dependency on China. (Note: green technologies like electric cars use these same elements. Understanding the mining concerns makes a good case for closed-loop recycling.)

Unless regulations are changed, or cell phone providers incentivize returning phones when you are done with them, it's up to each of us to make the right choices when we get next year's phone.

Check out my sad collection: 4 phones that were sitting in my nightstand drawer after years of dropping, drowning, or otherwise killing them.

The good news is there are so many convenient options for moving your old phones on. For dead phones like mine, recycling is the answer. Your provider may offer recycling, and if not Best Buy does. Simply walk up to the customer service counter and they'll take them from you. The rare earth elements can then be reused for future devices.

While you're there, Best Buy also has recycling stations right at the front entrance. Do you have a collection of old jewel cases from back when we burned CDs instead of using flash drives? They can take them! Have a stash of old cables from older phones and devices? They can take those too! And... did you know used up gift cards can be recycled too? They typically aren't accepted in your home recycling can, so in the bin at Best Buy they go.

For working phones, keep one as a backup in case your new phone meets a horrible fate, but there's no need to hold on to more than one. Donate with your carrier or through a non-profit. Some use the actual phones, and some use the proceeds from recycling. Here are just a few:

• Cell Phones for Soldiers - your phones are sold to recyclers or refurbishers and the proceeds go to the troops for calling home
• Hope Line through Verizon - both phones and grants aid domestic violence survivors
• Secure the Call - provides 911-only phones to seniors and domestic violence survivors
• Eco-cell - recommended recycler by many zoos, due to mining impact on gorilla habitat
• Phones4Charity - choose your charity of choice to benefit from your donation

So, come on folks, this is your first spring cleaning task of the year: dig out your old phones that are just sitting in your desk drawer or closet, and drop 'em off at your local electronics store, cell phone carrier, women's shelter, or charity.