Let's Recycle Our Used Mobile Phones

Do we need to recycle cell phones? Yes, indeed!

For years, I was one of those who never had a clue that cell phones can be disposed of properly. Many people these days have one or several cell phones stashed in a closet somewhere. After a while, when we find these old cellular phones again, these will most likely end up in the trash bin, and eventually, in our town's landfill.

But, like other challenges resulting from our profligate lifestyle, theres always a better solution. Cell phone recycling is the better, more environmentally-responsible, even more profitable option.

The Great Cell Phone Deluge

There are now an estimated 800 million used cell phones in the US, today. Every year, about 125 million discarded hand sets are added to this number. In a 2007 study, market researchers discovered that only 9.4% of the population made the effort to recycle their cell phones, 36.8% stored their cell phones in their lockers, while a shocking 10.2% admitted to just throwing away their cell phones. What this means is that every year, 37 million more phones are hidden in our drawers and 10 million more leak toxic elements into our landfills!

Like most electronic waste, mobile phones contain metals and chemicals that are extremely harmful to humans. Dangerous heavy metals like lead, mercury, and cadmium are found in the circuit boards and batteries of cell phones. Carcinogenic chemicals like brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) are also present in the casing of many cell phones. Lead, one of the most dangerous metals known, has been identified as a leading cause of brain development problems in children and diminished brain health in adults. Cadmium compounds are carcinogenic and exposure to this element can cause liver, kidney (irreversible, and often fatal), respiratory and bone density complications.

Given what we know about solid waste disposal and landfills in this country, can we have an iron-clad guarantee that the e-waste we dump in our landfills wont be able to spread harmful chemicals to our underground water systems? Possible, yes, but Im not prepared to take chances on the health of my family or yours, in such uncertain set-up. The likelihood of contamination is forever present. Putting e-waste in our landfills essentially comes down to poisoning ourselves.

Is there money in Cell Phone Recycling?

Recycling your cell phone can be quite lucrative. Recycling and refurbishing enterprises will pay as much as $50 cash (depending on the model) for every unit you turn in. Shipping is usually pre-paid by the company for pouches containing at least 5 units. The company will then unload these refurbished cell phones to volume buyers here and abroad, helping enhance mobile communications in developing countries in Africa and South America.

Umicore, a Belgium-based giant recycling business, extracts precious metals like gold, silver, platinum, copper, and coltan, as well as manufacturing materials like glass and plastic from tons of old cell phones. They call this process surface mining. Theres actually more gold to be harvested in a ton of old phones than from 17 tons of gold rocks! Only half of 1% of the e-waste that go through the recycling process can not be returned to the production cycle and is then burned for energy generation.

Think its hip to urban mine or to try and extract, on your own, precious metals from the old phones you have at home? Its not. You might be putting yourself and your family in grave risk if you do this, because of the dangerous chemicals involved in the process. Even if youre experienced to handle corrosive chemicals, it still is a fool's errand extracting trace amounts of metals from a handful of cell phones. It takes recycling tons of old cell phones before the recyclers can turn a profit out of it.

How do you recycle cell phones?

Donate your cell phone to your favorite charity.

Help your preferred charity or non-profit gather funds for their activities or endeavors by giving your used cell phones to them. You can even begin your grassroots recycling project by collecting old mobile phones in your business, city or neighborhood and sending these to recyclers to benefit your favorite charity. Ask for assistance, talk with other persons and outfits who are doing the same. Certainly, theres now a cell phone program currently going on in your neighborhood, and help from you would certainly make a big difference.

Give your old or used phones to family or friends.

How frequently do Americans replace their cell phones? A study by EPA shows that a large number of US users replace their cell phones every 18 months, on average. Now, after 1 and years of use, these old phones are still quite functional. Why not extend the utility of these phones by handing them over to a relative or a friend. Just make sure to ask your friend or relative to recycle the phones responsibly, when she has to replace it, later.

Recycle cell phones through recycling and refurbishing companies.

Another way thats fast and convenient is to recycle your used cell phone online. Cell phone trading and refurbishing companies, like Pacebutler Corporation in Edmond, Oklahoma will pay as high as $50 for each cell phone you send them. Just visit their site, find out how much theyre buying your phone, request for a pre-paid shipping label, and mail your phones. How fast is this transaction? Usually, youll have your money within 4-5 working days after they get your phones.

Recycle cell phones through the manufacturer or service provider.

Return your discarded phones back to the manufacturer or service company. Service providers like AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint all have take-back or trade-in programs, make sure to ask about it when you purchase that new iPhone youve been eyeing these past few weeks. Mailing back your phones to the phone network will ensure that these phones are recycled or refurbished responsibly. Availability of raw materials is a major focus for these companies, and thats why theyre interested that users mail back these phones, as this will guarantee a steady supply of materials for their production process.

To quote the US Environmental Agency (EPA), cell phone recycling is an easy call to make. If every person makes the effort, we all can move forward towards increasing the phone recycling rate in this country. Its not just about preserving the environment, cell phone recycling also protects our health. Lets all recycle our cell phones, today.