These days, almost everyone has a mobile phone. And new models come out so often, that older phones are being replaced every day. But have you ever thought about what happens to your phone when you throw it away?
The bad news: Mobile Phones contain toxic chemicals
Most contain toxic heavy metals such as cadmium, lead, beryllium and antimony. Unfortunately, when an old phone is thrown away and enters a landfill, it can release those toxic chemicals into the environment.
Most contain toxic heavy metals such as cadmium, lead, beryllium and antimony. Unfortunately, when an old phone is thrown away and enters a landfill, it can release those toxic chemicals into the environment.
But I don't want my mobile phone anymore. Can't I just throw it in the bin?
The answer is no! If you throw your phone in the bin, those chemicals will enter the environment. Thankfully, there is a better solution...
The answer is no! If you throw your phone in the bin, those chemicals will enter the environment. Thankfully, there is a better solution...
The good news: Mobile Phones can be recycled!
The good news is that there are safe ways that you can dispose of your phone. Over 90 per cent of the materials in mobile phones can be recycled, and used to make new products. For example, chargers can be recycled for copper; handsets can be recycled for their plastics; circuit boards inside handsets can be recycled to recover a range of precious metals; rechargeable batteries can be recycled for their nickel, iron, cadmium, lead and cobalt; and accessories such as headsets, power packs and clips can also be recycled for their plastics.
The good news is that there are safe ways that you can dispose of your phone. Over 90 per cent of the materials in mobile phones can be recycled, and used to make new products. For example, chargers can be recycled for copper; handsets can be recycled for their plastics; circuit boards inside handsets can be recycled to recover a range of precious metals; rechargeable batteries can be recycled for their nickel, iron, cadmium, lead and cobalt; and accessories such as headsets, power packs and clips can also be recycled for their plastics.
How can I dispose of my mobile phone safely?
It is important that your phone doesn't just go straight into the bin when you're done with it! They may be small, but with so many thrown away every year, too many toxic chemicals could be leaking into our environment. The answer is to recycle your phone; there are plenty of ways you can go about it. For example, some companies run recycling programmes, or you may find electronic recycling bins in your area.
It is important that your phone doesn't just go straight into the bin when you're done with it! They may be small, but with so many thrown away every year, too many toxic chemicals could be leaking into our environment. The answer is to recycle your phone; there are plenty of ways you can go about it. For example, some companies run recycling programmes, or you may find electronic recycling bins in your area.
What do I need to do before I recycle my mobile phone?
First of all, ensure your phone has been disconnected. Then clear the phone's memory of contacts and any other stored information, or transfer it over to your new phone. Make sure you remove your phone's SIM card, if it has one.
First of all, ensure your phone has been disconnected. Then clear the phone's memory of contacts and any other stored information, or transfer it over to your new phone. Make sure you remove your phone's SIM card, if it has one.
How else can I help?
Remember that if your phone is still in working condition, there is no need to throw it away! You could continue to use it, or offer it to a friend or family member who needs one.
Remember that if your phone is still in working condition, there is no need to throw it away! You could continue to use it, or offer it to a friend or family member who needs one.
Do your part to help the environment - recycle your mobile phone!
In summary, mobile phones may be small, but when thousands are being thrown away, that's a lot of wasted plastic, and toxic chemicals being thrown into the environment! It's a matter of doing your bit to help - every phone recycled is one less phone in the landfill, and if everyone pitches in, we can make a big difference. So next time you're going to throw your old phone in the bin, think twice and remember how easy it is to recycle your mobile phone.
In summary, mobile phones may be small, but when thousands are being thrown away, that's a lot of wasted plastic, and toxic chemicals being thrown into the environment! It's a matter of doing your bit to help - every phone recycled is one less phone in the landfill, and if everyone pitches in, we can make a big difference. So next time you're going to throw your old phone in the bin, think twice and remember how easy it is to recycle your mobile phone.
Help the environment and get paid!
Redial pays New Zealanders to recycle their old mobile phones. This environmentally friendly service ensures old phones stay out of landfills. Find out how much you could get paid at http://www.redial.co.nz
Redial pays New Zealanders to recycle their old mobile phones. This environmentally friendly service ensures old phones stay out of landfills. Find out how much you could get paid at http://www.redial.co.nz