Phone recycling: How much do mobile phones contribute to e-waste?

Reese Jones

E-waste is any electronic device considered for disposal, and is a rapidly escalating global problem. Even worse, the torrent of new phone models constantly coming in from handset manufacturers is not helping alleviate this issue. The culture of needing to replace one’s phone every so often is further worsening it. Just how much does changing mobile phones impact the e-waste problem? What is the industry doing to promote renewable mobile technology? And most importantly, what can the users themselves do on their part?

Alarming Rate

According to ServerMonkey ’s data, the United States has accounted more than 2.44 million tons of the world’s e-waste in 2010. Recycling only accounted for 649,000 tons – around 26.6%. That means that most of it was either disposed of in landfills, or in third world countries. Of the two million tons, almost 20,000 tons were mobile phones, which equated to over 150 million handsets, and only 17.4 million of them recycled. The data show just how fast mobile phones are replaced – on average, the US disposed of over 400,000 every day in 2010. To date, Seoul-based Samsung Electronics has released 20 new mobile devices in 2013, 15 of which are smartphones. More is still to come. Users need to know just how much the need to constantly upgrade their phones affects these numbers.

Mobile industry initiative

Apart from community eco-programs such as the one from Berks, PA, mobile-based companies, for their part, are also doing something to recycle e-waste. In the United Kingdom, pre-loved mobile phones of any kind are eligible to be given to the O2 Recycle program. It’s the company’s initiative encourages owners to trade in their old O2’s mobile phones for cash. It is a non-profit scheme that is extremely environmentally sound. It works by first appraising the items – gadgets still in perfect working and acceptable aesthetic condition are donated for reuse. Those that are worn down are sent to the manufacturer, where they are refurbished and then resold for a lower price. Broken gadgets are stripped of precious metals and reusable components. The environmental initiative takes pride in its zero-landfill policy.

Understanding the risks of e-waste

Electronic gadgets, including mobile phones, have numerous components that contain a host of toxic substances. These can contaminate the environment and do significant irreparable damage to human health. Heavy metals such as cadmium, mercury, and lead are present in parts such as light-sensitive resistors, flat screen monitors and LCD display panels. Other substances, such as arsenic and plastic flame retardants are also found in LEDs, and beryllium oxides in thermal compounds used on processors. With improper handling and disposal of electronics, these hazardous materials easily seep through the ground and contaminate the water table.

What can be done

Users do not need an external initiative to start reducing e-waste. If people cannot find a way to reuse old electronic equipment, they have the option to donate it to organizations or entities that can give the gadgets a second lease of life. ServerMonkey, for one offers free services to recycle obsolete electronics such as computers and mobile phones.

E-recycling facilities are also starting to come out, given the amount of e-waste produced every day. In the US, companies such as Electronic Recyclers, Inc. (ERI) operate under the umbrella of government legislation that mandates statewide e-recycling. This ensures proper procedures, especially with regard to disposal of hazardous substances found in electronic devices.

Selling used electronics is perhaps the most common, and probably the easiest way to dispose old phased-out gadgets. Dispose of mobile devices and make some extra money at the same time. Everyone can do it.

Do you have any tips for recycling your used electronics? Write to us and share with us what you think.

About the Author

Reese Jones has a wide range of interests including anything iPad, small business, start-up companies and follows companies like Samsung and Motorola. Reese’s blog can be seen here.

Image source: o2recycle.co.uk

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