For those consumers who have received a new mobile phone for the holidays, getting rid of the old one in an environmentally friendly manner may be smarter than discarding it in that "everything" drawer in the kitchen with scissors and Dad's long-lost Phillips-head screwdriver.

Verizon Wireless is tapping in on this idea by encouraging those consumers who may have received a new handset or accessories to recycle the old stuff at its stores in New York and northern New Jersey. Part of Verizon's HopeLine program, the old phones will be properly recycled and delivered to organizations that help survivors of domestic violence.

"HopeLine is a great, simple alternative to sticking an old wireless phone in the back of the closet or in a junk drawer, then forgetting about it," said Debra Lewis, spokeswoman for Verizon Wireless, Basking Ridge, NJ.

"Lots of folks get and give new wireless phones as holiday gifts, so this is a reminder that there's a great option for phones they're no longer using," she said.

Verizon claims that over the past 10 years its HopeLine program has kept more than 200 tons of electronics waste and batteries out of landfills, and provided a lifeline for many domestic-abuse victims.

"Domestic violence prevention and awareness is Verizon Wireless' primary community relations and philanthropic focus, and HopeLine allows us to support this very important cause," Ms. Lewis said.

To date, the program has properly disposed off nearly 1 million mobile phones and recycled more than 170,000 pounds of batteries in cooperation with Call2Recycle.

Also by refurbishing the phones, the year-round program is able to send monetary donations to help domestic-abuse victims.

Verizon said it is the first wireless carrier nationwide to collect and recycle old mobile phones to benefit survivors of domestic violence.

Nationwide, the Verizon Wireless HopeLine program has given more than $4 million in cash grants and more than 45,000 mobile phones with airtime to domestic violence prevention organizations, the company said.

Consumers can donate wireless phones and accessories from any carrier. For a complete list of store locations, visit http://www.verizonwireless.com/storelocator. For additional information on HopeLine, visit http://www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline.

"Since we began, we've collected [nearly] 4.5 million phones from our customers at our stores, in conjunction with some of our other partners," Ms. Lewis said. "For example, we sponsor some NFL teams and do collections at games each fall and in other venues."