Early adopters waited in lines overnight to buy Apple’s first-generation iPhone when it became available. And now they’re looking for ways to swap it for Apple’s latest iPhone 3G with GPS capability.

David Chen, founder of NextWorth Solutions in Massachusetts, is ready to buy the old iPhones for as much as the new iPhone 3G costs while plus helping the environment. “There is a huge demand for the first-generation iPhones considering the battery for the older iPhones is stronger,” Chen told us.

And for those who aren’t comfortable selling their iPhones online, NextWorth has partnered with retailers, including Circuit City, to take old iPhones in exchange for store credit. Other retailers include Tweeter, J&R Music, and Computer World.

“We are in 51 Circuit City stores and are trying to roll it out nationally,” Chen said. “We are giving anywhere from $200 to $300 in instant credit.”

Keeping Green

There is more to his business model than

just collecting used iPhones, according to Chen.

“The base line of our concept is how do we energize reuse and keep things out of the landfill?” he said. “We hold on to it and it sits in our desk drawer and it depreciates and in the end it ends up in the landfill.”

By buying old iPhones, Chen’s company is able to recycle and reuse the parts in other devices and dispose of broken parts using environmentally safe avenues.

Other Options

A better option for owners of old iPhones who want to upgrade is to give it or sell it to a family member or friend, according to Aaron Vronko, service manager at Rapid Repair. Recipients will still need to pay iPhone documents fees, which in the U.S. are $30 for the 3G and $20 for the first-generation iPhone.

Rapid Repair, based in Michigan and previously known as ipodmods.com, plus…

Orginal post by Mike

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