Recycling Wireless Telephones
In the past decade, cell phones have become a leading source of communication in our society. Many of us rely on them to communicate on a daily basis and we replace them with newer and better models frequently. It is important that we have plans for doing something with these products when they are replaced. These plans should include reuse and recycling!
The massive number of cell phones and various mobile devices now in circulation are presenting a growing concern to the environment. "As of 2003, there are more than 500 million mobile phones waiting to be recycled in the US; either in drawers, or already in the waste stream. Another 100 million or so will be added this year and even more next year."
New York State residents now have a lot more opportunities to recycle their cell phones. Under the New York State Wireless Recycling Act, effective January 1, 2007, all wireless telephone service providers that offer phones for sale will accept your cell phones for reuse or recycling. Chapter 730 of the Laws of 2006 requires these businesses to accept up to 10 cell phones from any person or provide shipping for those phones.
Before the legislation was enacted some service providers had established cell phone reuse/recycling and donation programs. We suggest that you search the internet to find a cell phone donation program.
Material & Estimated Percentage Used in Manufacturing Cell Phones
The following materials are typically found in cell phones:
- Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) Polycarbonate (PC) - 20%
- Copper (CU) - 19%
- Silica, Soda, Lime (Glass) - 11%
- Aluminum (Al) - 9%
- Iron (Fe) - 8%
- Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA) - 6%
- Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) - 5%
- Epoxy - 5%
- Polycarbonate (PC) - 4%
- Silicon (Si) - 4%
- Polyoxymethelyne (POM) - 2%
- Polystyrene (PS) - 2%
- Tetrabromobisphenol-A (TBBA) - 2%
- Nickel (Ni) - 1%
- Tin (Sn) - 1%
- Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP) - 1%
- Gold, palladium, and silver are represented in other metals as less than one percent
Wireless phones generally contain 40% metals, 40% plastics, and 20% ceramics.
Results of Improper Trash Disposal
Cell phones contain many hazardous materials including mercury and lead, that if improperly disposed can harm the environment, and potentially become detrimental to humans and wildlife. Electronic devices thrown into the trash end up buried in landfills or burned at waste-to-energy facilities. There are better options such as reusing and recycling.
Cell Phone Reuse & Recycle
Reuse! Donating for Redistribution
You can search the internet to find one of the many organizations to donate your old cell phone for refurbishment and redistribution.
Recycling Cell Phones
Contact your local recycling coordinator for recycling programs or check out Earth 911 (www.newyork.earth911.org/) for recycling or redistributing options in your local area by zip code.
More about Recycling Wireless Telephones:
- Wireless Service Providers - This letter was distributed to wireless telephone service suppliers to provide information regarding the Wireless Telephone Recycling Act, which became effective January 1, 2007. This law, which established Environmental Conservation Law (ECL), Article 27, Title 23 requires in part that all wireless telephone service suppliers that sell wireless telephones must provide for the reuse, recycling, or proper disposal of wireless phones.
- Chapter 730, Laws of 2006 - Chapter 730 Laws of 2006, Wireless Telephone Recycling