Mobile phone recycling

Have you ever wondered what happens when you throw your old and unneeded mobile phones into the trash can? Do you know that if they are not recycled properly, they can pose a huge environment and health hazard?

When we recycle old mobile phones, we are doing a whole lot of good for the world by helping to preserve the environment and prevent harmful wastes from entering the ecosystem. Mobile phone recycling helps put a stop to irresponsible disposal of dangerous toxic materials. These materials are deemed hazardous to both humans and the environment as there is a high content of mercury, lead, arsenic and cadmium. Mercury, especially, is a very dangerous substance that can cause the environment and atmosphere to be affected. Once it seeps into the soil and flows into rivers and seas where fishes inhabit, these organisms will be contaminated and so will we after consuming the fishes. Because our nervous system is susceptible to the hazardous effects mercury, our brain, kidneys and fragile fetuses can be damaged as a result. Other consequences include memory loss, extensive injury to our hearing and vision and perhaps cancer.

Recycled metals can be put back into circulation. In some cases where mobile phone parts are deemed to still in good condition, these components are salvaged and sent back to the manufacturer in order to produce new phones. This practice indirectly saves both the mobile phone company and consumers some money when phones are made and sold. Some mobile phone recycling programs even reward those who recycle mobile phones with cash but most times they will give the proceeds away to charitable causes and organisations.