Politics & Government

Trade Old Cell Phones in for Cash at ATM

A San Diego-based company is using ATM's to make it easier to get rid of some of your e-waste. And they say they'll pay you for it.

A San Diego-based company is looking to make it easy to dispose of old electronics and cell phones while providing some spending cash.

And it can be done while shopping here in the local area, including one in the West Covina Westfield Mall and another in City of Industry.

ecoATM has placed a number of ATM-like machines in shopping centers throughout Southern California that accept cell phones and MP3 players in exchange for cash.

Find out what's happening in Baldwin Parkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

On it’s website, the developer describe the machine as “an automated, consumer self-serve kiosk that quickly evaluates and buys back used consumer electronics directly from consumers for cash.”

“The process takes just a few minutes to complete,” they wrote.

Find out what's happening in Baldwin Parkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

According to its makers, the ecoATM will examine your device and then search for the highest price it can find in the “worldwide market.” If the seller makes the final agreement, the ATM will take the phone and pay the seller, officials wrote.

In exchange it does collect some personal information including drivers license information and a thumbprint. This is done to prevent fraud, developers said.

You can find an ecoATM at the West Covina Westfield Mall at 112 Plaza Drive, close to Gymboree. You can also find one at Puente Hills Mall, 1600 Azuza Ave. on the second floor center court. 

Or for more information on the device and how it works, check their website.

Stay informed of daily happenings in Baldwin Park. Subscribe to the Patch newsletter, including news alerts. Find us on Facebook and Twitter .


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Baldwin Park