So how does recycling your old mobile phone impact on the environment?
When you recycle something like a mobile phone it creates a circular supply chain. These types of supply chain benefit the environment in a number of ways. They reduce carbon emissions, as there is no longer a need to produce all of the components such as printed circuit boards. This has an effect further back on the supply chain, as less of the primary materials are sourced-so the carbon footprint reduces further.
Another benefit is waste management. At this point emissions are reduced as there is less metal and electronic waste (e-waste) which ends up in the landfill recycling process. Nearly all metal waste can be and is melted down to its purest form and re-used: It is important that we do this to keep scarce natural resources in circulation. Although the waste from your recycled mobile phone still has to be recycled, this it carried out by specialist, private companies and does not impact on government waste management funds.
There is an estimated 20-50 million tonnes of e-waste produced each year which can house harmful components such as lead and cadmium. This waste makes up 5% of all solid waste and with an average lifespan of only 2 years for a mobile phone (in developed countries), it can only increase.
Still think its just too much hassle to recycle your phone?
Perhaps you should think about not only the long term environmental damage e-waste will do to our planet, but the long term damage it will do to your finances. When you choose to throw away your phone with general household waste it is taken away by your local Council. This service is paid for with your taxes and if we continue to increase the levels of household waste we produce then ultimately we will pay.
It also impacts your pocket at the point of sale. Not re-using valuable metal and electronic components means the manufacturers have had to pay to source and develop new materials. You can guarantee that rather than make a loss on profits the companies will up their prices to cover these costs, so it all comes back to the consumer.
The real benefits
Recycling your phone benefits the environment in terms of reducing emissions, lessening the use of scarce natural resources and reducing the amount of waste that ends up in unsightly landfills.
Not only do you feel better for knowing you did your bit to help us reach our carbon emissions target, but you know youve saved yourself money in the long run, and thats certainly worth the time.