How to Recycle Smartphones in a Smart Way?
The world is capable of incredible achievements. You are using advanced and unbelievable tools like phones or computers that fit your pocket. Besides that, smartphones, which you are replacing regularly, are one of the most sustainable electronic wastes these days. Although, it is important to avoid replacing perfectly good smartphones in order to get the latest models, It is also important to understand your smartphone recycling process. In this guide, you will learn how to recycle smartphones in a smart way.
How Many Smartphones Are Dumped in Landfills?
Smartphones are now one of the most common types of electronic waste, with over 100 million smartphones estimated to end up in landfills each year. That is an incredible amount of waste and potentially hazardous material. Many of those smartphones are still perfectly functional.
Why Should You Recycle Your Old Smart Phone?
Your old smartphone may appear to be a waste to you, but it contains valuable materials. And if it is not properly disposed of, it is harmful to the environment. Consider the following reasons why it is important to recycle your old smartphone.
1. Harmful Materials
There are various components inside smartphones that are hazardous waste items to humans, animals, and plants. Smartphones, for example, contain toxic chemicals, which have long been linked to brain damage, muscular disorders, and other medical issues. Another common component in phones is lead. It has the potential to cause cancer and brain damage.
2. Conserving Resources
It simply makes sense that materials from recycled phones could be useful. A phone’s gold, solder, and silicon may all be extracted and reused. And also, some rare earth elements used in smartphones, which are only available in China, would be cut off. A certified recycler can recover some of the plastic, metal, and rare-earth components from an unusable smartphone. You will be saving valuable natural resources by not having to make a new one.
3. Waste Reduction
You may return your smartphone and lessen the quantity of waste entering the ecosystem if you take excellent care of it. Recycling an old phone is an excellent idea just for this reason.
4. Money in Your Pocket
Think about the money you will save by using your old, functioning phone instead of buying a new one. Some retailers even reward customers with cash for returning an old phone.
How to Recycle Smartphones in a Smart Way
1. e-Waste Recycling Centres
The best option for recycling your old smartphone is to bring it to certified e-waste recycling centres. Recycling companies are only capable of handling smartphone components in a safe way. If you choose a certified recycling company, then you have more confidence in waste management.
2. Sell Your Old Smartphone for Money
Making money from old cell phones is a different option than recycling them. Most people are unaware that they can have a substantial amount of money stashed away in old smartphones stashed in various drawers throughout the house. And the more you can get, the sooner you try to sell them.
3. Donate Your Old Smartphone
If you don’t want to recycle or reuse your old smartphone, donating it to a worthy cause is an excellent option. However, there are certain global services you can utilise if you prefer. Old smartphones are usually donated to a local charity. It is always important to look into the backgrounds of groups because there are some fake organisations that pass for charities.
4. Or Keep Using It
If you have no idea whether to donate or recycle your precious smartphone, there are many ways to reuse your old devices. People have turned these into internet-connected security cameras, music players, temporary travel phones, gaming devices, remote controls, and other things. So, if your smartphone is in good condition, keep it.
Conclusion
Finally, you have an idea of how to recycle your smartphone. We hope this article will help you save your pocket money and give long life to your old smartphones.