Nearly a billion cell phones are thrown out after 18 months of use, and most Americans buy a new phone every 12 months. That's a lot of unused, unloved mobile phones out there.

Check out Flipswap They not only offer a super simple way for consumers and businesses to make sure that phones get put back into use, they give you cash or store credit, then get them to people who can't afford them. You can choose to take it to a local retailer and turn it in for store credit, mail it in for cash (they even pay for shipping) or donate it to charity!

Recently (finally) the EPA has joined with the top mobile service providers to make it inexcusably easy to recycle your cell phone. Visit the epa website to find a location near you to drop off your cell phone if you can't find a Flipswap location.