Why Mobile Phone Recycling is Important
By admin on Jun 26, 2007 in WEEE Directive, Household Waste, Featured
Over the past 10 years mobile phone sales have rocketed to such an extent that the majority of the UK population now own a mobile phone. With mobile phone designs and technology changing on a regular basis, mobile phones are no longer just a communication devise, but also a camera, music player, toy and fashion accessory roled into one. These ongoing changes and improvements contribute to the majority of mobile phone users replacing or upgrading their mobile phone every 12 to 18 months.
It is estimated that in the UK alone there are currently around 90 million mobile phones in circulation. Many of these will be old mobile phones left in drawers or in boxes of junk in the garages or attic. Less than 20% of unused mobile phones are currently being reused or recycled, even though there are many quick and easy ways of doing so.
Why recycle your mobile phone?
It is important that old or broken mobile phones are not disposed of in your wheelie bin. This is because mobile phones can contain toxic substances, such as mercury and cadmium. If these end up in landfill sites, the toxic substances could pollute the surrounding area and cause damage to the environment.
What substances in a mobile phone are dangerous?
There are a number of substances sometimes found in mobile phones which can be dangerous for the both environment and human health if not disposed of appropriately. These include the following:
- Cadium - although it is now being phased out, cadium is a substance that is often found in old mobile phone batteries. Even though it is a relatively small quantity, there is enough cadium in a single mobile phone battery to contaminate over 600,000 litres of water.
- Beryllium - beryllium is a substance used in mobile phone contacts and springs which can cause lung damage.
- Lead - lead is often used to solder components onto the circuit boards of mobile phones. Lead can affect the nervous system, the immune system and can cause brain damage to children.
- Brominated Flame Retardant - brominated flame retardants are sometimes used to protect circuit boards and the plastic cases of mobile phones. These substances have been linked with both liver damage and cancer.
