Cell Phone Recycling

To someone who has used his cell phone for a lengthy time without having to change to a new one, the concept of cell phone recycling might seem silly. But really, you would be astonished to see how many mobile phones get abandoned every day. There are some people who switch phones as soon as a better model comes out, and as a result, more and more cell phones are getting discarded and turned to wastes. Just think about it: with most people using the new tiny and stylish cell phones, where do you think the dinosaurs of yesterday went when they were replaced? Mobile phone nirvana? Not quite. As of now, there are a lot more than 120 million cell phones that are discarded annually, and some of these cell phones end up forgotten in a drawer at home or, worse, in the city’s landfill.

The Hazards of Abandoned cell Phones

When cellphones are thrown in with the regular waste dumps, the hazardous metal wastes might end up destroying the environment. Just like other electronic wastes, cell phone parts have harmful metals such as mercury, cadmium, and lead. There are also hazardous chemicals like polyvinyl chloride and brominated flame retardants. These things can cause various developmental problems in people, especially in kids. They can cause issues with the kidneys, liver, lungs, and even on the bones. Some of them may even increase the risk of cancer. Now, imagine if these wastes are deposited into the ocean. Or, worse, what if these chemicals enter into our underground water sources? A chilling thought, isn’t it?

Recycling is the Answer

Indeed, if that made you hold on to your used cell phone a bit more tightly, don’t be depressed. There is an answer. Mobile phone recycling is one thing that you can do in order to help the environment and help yourself. The concept behind it is pretty simple. Basically, all you need to do is to lengthen the cell phone’s usability for as long as you can. When you’re done with a cell phone, try to find someone who can use it, be it a friend or a family member. Or you can simply sell it to someone else. This way, your cell phone won’t go to waste. Or, if you like, you can simply return it to the manufacturer. They have policies that allow you to give them back your used cell phone. They will take care of all the recycling, and give you some discounts on your next purchases from them too.