Sound Byte: Verizon's new trade-in program for all wireless devices

Verizon Wireless recently announced a new Verizon Wireless Trade-In Program—and not just for its own gadgets. The carrier will accept devices from any other vendor as well, making it that much easier to recycle your old mobile phones.

In this week's Sound Byte podcast (click to listen), featured in last week's "Into Tomorrow with Dave Graveline," Consumer Reports Web Senior Editor Paul Eng describes Verizon's three-step program. 

• You first go online to the Verizon Trade-In Web site to appraise your device.
• If your device is determined to have value, you are sent a postage-paid envelope to send your device to Verizon.
• You receive a Verizon gift card for the appraised amount of your device (you can also opt to donate the amount to Verizon's HopeLine program, which helps victims of domestic violence).

Many electronics manufacturers offer their own programs; for more information and links, go to the Consumer Reports Greener Choices Electronics Reuse and Recycling Center.

That's all for today! See you next week.

—Carol Mangis

About Sound Bytes
Every week, Consumer Reports experts produce a short (less than two minutes in length) audio segment which cover a wide variety of issues regarding consumer electronics and technology. These small "sound bites" can be heard on Into Tomorrow with Dave Graveline. The Sound Byte that is featured in the Consumer Reports Electronics Blog is a segment that aired on last weekend's Into Tomorrow over-the-air broadcast.

About Into Tomorrow
Now in its 15th year, Into Tomorrow with Dave Graveline covers the Latest in Consumer Electronics & Technology available today and... into tomorrow. The show airs on over 160 AM and FM radio stations around the U.S., on SIRIUS XM Satellite Radio, radio stations in Germany, Bermuda, New Zealand, Canada and several other sources including Mobile Broadcast Network, BeOS Radio, Sprint Radio, TiVo, and many others—every weekend. "Into Tomorrow" is also heard around the world on the Armed Forces Networks in several other countries. You can also catch all Into Tomorrow episodes on the Web. (The most recent show is usually added about three or four days after it has been broadcast on the radio.)

—Carol Mangis