By Jennifer Bowen - email

ANN ARBOR, MI (RNN) - Millions of Americans unwrapped new gadgets, particularly smartphones, on Christmas morning. While many will opt to throw that old phone in a drawer, others will go a greener route - recycling their cell phone or donating it.

Before you part ways with that iPhone, Android or Blackberry, it's important to first discontinue your service with your provider, then take a few short steps to protect your personal information.

"Phones today hold everything that a computer can hold, and oftentimes store data in places you may not realize," said Mike Newman with ReCellular, the world's largest recycler and reseller of used cell phones.