Cell phone recycling machine

Automated kiosks can dispense DVD rentals, tasty snacks, or even cash with the simple swipe of a debit or credit card. But how about an ATM that spits out cash—in exchange for your old unwanted mobile phone?

At the CTIA, a global mobile telecommunication industry trade conference in San Diego this week, ecoATM showed off the latest version of such an automated kiosk.

A consumer drops off an old cell phone or smart phone into the machine's hopper. Cameras installed in the ATM-like device examine the phone and determine its model from an image database of over 4,000 models. After it has been identified, the ecoATM evaluates the phone's working condition and then displays its market value based on that assesment.

If the consumer agrees to the value, they can opt to take the cash or donate the money to a charity. If the consumer desires a cash pay-out, a scan of their driver's license and thumb is required in order to discourage fraud—trading in a stolen mobile phone, for example.

The company believes such machines simplify the trade-in process and could encourage more consumers to recycle their unwanted gear rather than create more electronic waste.

Consumer Reports has advice on How to get rid of practically anything—including cell phones and other consumer electronics. Also check out our report on Where to recycle electronics for free.

ecoATM website
EcoATM offers instant money for your old phone, we go hands-on at CTIA E&A 2011 (video) [Engdaget]
Video: Meet ecoATM, The Reverse Vending Machine That Takes Your Phone & Spits Out Cash [TechCrunch]

—Paul Eng