Why Recycle Mobile Phones?

Photo credit Unique Mobiles

Mobile phones are the most extensively used gadgets today. You cannot find an individual who does not have one. It has become a common man's companion as it aids in effective communication. Recycling your cell phones is a factor that should be considered with great seriousness as it helps the environment, saves energy, and safeguards the reusable materials from getting dumped on the landfills.

How recycling of mobile phones helps the environment?

Usually cell phones and PDA or Personal Digital Assistant might contain an array of precious metals such as copper. When you opt for recycling your phones, it would reuse the valuable metals present in the cell phones and PDAs and thus, conserve them. This helps you prevent pollution of air and water and also rules out the emissions of harmful gases that are produced while manufacturing, processing and extracting virgin materials. That is why, every cell phone owner must opt or recycling the cell phones. If you are not convinced yet, then here are some other reasons.

Top reasons why should you recycle your mobile phones:

Saves immense amount of energy:

Studies have revealed that only 10% of the cell phones are recycled each year, whereas about 130 million of cell phones are thrown in the thrash. If all these phones are recycled, then it would release much more power and energy that would help in lighting up over 24,000 homes every year. Recycling about one million of cell phones would help in providing electricity to about 185 households every year.

Recover a lot of precious metals:

When you recycle over a million of cell phones, you will get over 75 pounds of precious gold, about 772 pounds of shimmering silver, palladium of 33 pounds and copper of about 35,724 pounds. In addition to that, you might recover a few pounds of platinum, tin or zinc from some cell phones.

Prevent hazardous substances from getting accumulated on landfills:

When you recycle your old mobiles, you can save your environment from various harsh materials which are otherwise hazardous to the environment. Mobiles, PDAs and other such devices contain a lot of toxic materials, such as arsenic, lead, cadmium, brominated flame retardants and mercury. These elements can be used after recycling but they must not reach the landfills as they can pollute ground water and contaminate ground soil and air and consequently, the environment will be unhealthy.

Converted into prepaid calling cards for the soldiers:

The used mobiles are collected and converted into prepaid calling cards to help the people living overseas. With the help of this particular program, about 12 million minutes of prepaid cards were produced in the year 2008 for the US troops.

Get some reward points as credit:

These days many companies are coming forward with various innovative measures for recycling mobile phones. The people who are reluctant to give their old phones for recycling, these companies are offering reward points or $5 as credit. So, by recycling your phone, you can make a greener environment and earn some rewards at the same time.

Now, you have of course understood and convinced why you should opt for recycling of your old cell phones.