Recycle Your Old Mobile Phone in Drop Box (Electronic Waste)

What to do with my old mobile phones?

Sometime back, I had two of my old mobile phones, which I wanted to sell and buy a new one. When I went to my local market, I had no idea that I would see something which will prompt me to write an article about it.

My old phone was not in a working condition and the shopkeeper was not interested in buying it, even for a minimum price.

Because, those were ordinary mobile phones and not Smart Phones, which can be seen in everyone's hands these days, including mine.

Therefore, he guided me towards a 'Drop Box' in the mobile phone showroom itself, where I dropped my old phones and in fact was too happy to do it!

Why?

Because, I was in some way helping the Environment.

How?

1. The metals and plastics were taken out from the phone to make useful items.

2. This would help in no extra mining, and no unnecessary cutting of trees.

3. For every old phone, dropped for recycle, a new tree will be planted.

4. Gold, Palladium, Copper etc. can be recovered from electronics, inside the phone.

5. Recycled batteries, can yield a number of different materials.

How e-Waste is threat to environment, source: YouTube

Did you know?

• Electronic products discarded in landfills or incinerators can release certain toxic elements into the air.
• The extreme amount of lead in electronics causes damage in the central and peripheral nervous systems, the kidneys and even the blood.
• Cell phones and other electronic items contain high amounts of precious metals like gold or silver.

Electronic Waste—Do your bit for safe and clean environment

• Collect all your old mobile phones, chargers, batteries, and go to a mobile service center.
• Ask the shop assistant to fill in the details of your old mobile, in your new mobile, or fill up an online form.
• Drop your old mobile phone, chargers etc. in the Recycle bin.
• Receive an instant message on your mobile, through message.
• Collect your Free gift from the outlet.
• There are some apps as well, to do all this for you. (You can see the link below). They will collect your old mobile from your home and do all the above things. But, I prefer going to the shop myself. It’s your choice.

What is e-Waste?

• Electronic waste, consisting of discarded computers, televisions, cell phones, other electronic equipment, is commonly termed as e-Waste.
• Life today revolves around technology. In fact every minute, every where, we are so much dependent upon it, that life without technology, is beyond imagination.
• But all these electronic devices, have a certain life, and they do get outdated and need to be upgraded, as well. This leads to huge Electronic wastes, all over the world, and this is a very serious issue.
• Because, experts feel that these wastes are not good or healthy for human beings or animals or plants, and overall for the environment.
• In many European countries, regulations have been introduced, to prevent the electronic waste, being dumped in landfills, due to its hazardous content. However, the practice still continues in many countries.

How can you repurpose old mobile phone, source: YouTube

Reuse and Recycle

1. To increase an Electronic product's life by reusing it, will certainly help the environment.
2. Old products are usually exported to developing countries, from the more affluent countries. But this requires, lot of care and caution.
3. Recycling raw materials, from old and used electronic items, is a health hazard for those workers, who are doing this.
4. Because, these products emit harmful chemicals, which are harmful for humans and the environment.

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To Conclude

• Moblie phones are potential harmful waste, as they contain lead, mercury, cadmium and arsenic.
• If we throw it just anywhere, and they somehow reach the incinerators or landfills, serious environmental pollution can result, from combustion into soil or rivers.
• The mobile phones are being thrown away at a very high rate every year. Tons of waste containing toxic metals are a global problem.
• The above mentioned method is most safe and suitable to dispose off, your old Cell phone.
• In fact, we will be saving the Planet Earth, from harmful pollution.
• Remember to remove or erase all personal data from the your mobile phones, to protect yourself from the identity theft.
• Take out the SIM card as well.

Further Suggested Readings

1. What is e-waste, via ewaste

https://www.ewaste1.com/what-is-e-waste/

2. The e-waste challenge, via step initiative

https://www.step-initiative.org/e-waste-challenge.html

3. Recycle Old Mobile Phone and Earn Rewards at Your Doorstep

https://www.cashify.in/recycle-old-mobile-phone

e-Waste management, source: You tube

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2014 Chitrangada Sharan

What do you do with your old Cellphone?

Chitrangada Sharan (author) from New Delhi, India on July 24, 2017:

Thanks John for reading and commenting on this hub!

I agree with your valuable comments and positive feedback.

This is a major issue--that is the recycling of electronic waste.

Thanks again!

John from India on July 24, 2017:

People dont realise that e-waste recycling is a lucrative profession. With digital gadgets increasing around the world, the e waste recycling industry is growing very fast

Chitrangada Sharan (author) from New Delhi, India on January 09, 2016:

Thank you Shaloo, for reading and commenting on this hub!

Glad you found the information helpful.

Shaloo Walia from India on January 09, 2016:

Helpful information. I wasn't aware of this.

Chitrangada Sharan (author) from New Delhi, India on September 28, 2015:

Thank you tillsntitan, for your kind visit and positive comments!

Appreciate your views about protection of our environment.

Thanks for reading the hub! Have a good day!

Chitrangada Sharan (author) from New Delhi, India on September 28, 2015:

Thank you Nithya, for your valuable comments! And yes, recycling old cellphones is the need of the day to protect the environment.

Thank you!

Mary Craig from New York on September 26, 2015:

Very useful and helpful. Every little thing we do is another way to help the environment. You never know w hat to do with old cell phones so this is a win win for you and the environment.

Nithya Venkat from Dubai on September 24, 2015:

Great hub, recycling cell phones saves earth in many ways and it is the best way to dispose cell phones without polluting the environment around us.

Chitrangada Sharan (author) from New Delhi, India on June 09, 2015:

Thank you colorfulone, for your visit and comments!

I didn't know about that. Thanks for your inputs. Have a great day!

Susie Lehto from Minnesota on June 09, 2015:

Those old phones have gold parts in them that can be farmed and sold for real money. That is one smart thing to do with them as well.

Chitrangada Sharan (author) from New Delhi, India on August 14, 2014:

Thank you FlourishAnyway, for your kind visit and valuable comments!

You are right that small efforts like these across the Globe, can have large impacts. Thanks and glad you liked the message!

Elaina Baker from USA on August 13, 2014:

This is a good hub that hopefully helps us to become more aware and urges us to do something about it. Small behaviors across many people can have large impacts.

Chitrangada Sharan (author) from New Delhi, India on July 31, 2014:

Thank you aviannovice, for your valuable comments!

Glad to see your concern for the environment. I have included the link you provided in the 4th section of this hub.

Thanks for including mine! Thanks for your continued support!

Deb Hirt from Stillwater, OK on July 30, 2014:

I included this in one of my stories, if you could incorporate this in your article, I would be forever grateful. Old cell phones are being used to capture poachers: http://www.takepart.com/article/2014/06/26/incredi...

Chitrangada Sharan (author) from New Delhi, India on July 25, 2014:

Thank you vibesites, for your kind visit and comments!

You are right that we should reduce mining by recycling the metals and other raw materials.

Its good that you are doing your bit to save the planet.

Thanks for appreciation and thanks for your insightful comments!

Chitrangada Sharan (author) from New Delhi, India on July 25, 2014:

Thank you thelyricwriter, for your kind visit and positive feedback!

You are right, we all should contribute and do our little bit in protecting the environment for our own self.

Thank you for your generous votes and share!

Chitrangada Sharan (author) from New Delhi, India on July 25, 2014:

Thank you Audrey, for your kind visit and positive comments!

I am glad that you liked this hub and will be more than pleased, if it spreads some awareness among others.

Thank you for generously voting up and sharing!

vibesites from United States on July 24, 2014:

This is a lovely idea, especially with the mining one. People won't need to get new metals and elements from the dangerous mines and will instead re-use the metals from the old phones. Besides, mining damages the environment.

Actually in our place we also have a cellphone dropbox in some malls. I did my part, rather than my old broken phone getting stuck here in my house. :)

Richard Ricky Hale from West Virginia on July 24, 2014:

Chitrangada, excellent article, words of wisdom and such meaning in helping with the Earth. We only have one and we should all pitch a hand in helping. There's a lot of mobile phones around, why not take the time to do what is right. Voted up, useful, awesome and interesting.

Audrey Hunt from Pahrump NV on July 24, 2014:

I am passionate about recycling. Your message and the information provided will alert others as to the importance of recycling cell phones.

Voted Up, UAI and sharing. Audrey

Chitrangada Sharan (author) from New Delhi, India on July 24, 2014:

Thanks Michelle!

Michelle Liew from Singapore on July 24, 2014:

A green and useful messing, Chitrangada!

Chitrangada Sharan (author) from New Delhi, India on July 24, 2014:

Thanks Dianna, for your visit and appreciation!

Yes, such initiatives are the need of the hour, since the huge amount of electronic waste piling up all over the world is a serious cause of concern.

Thank you for your positive comments!

Chitrangada Sharan (author) from New Delhi, India on July 24, 2014:

Thanks Devika, for your kind visit and positive feedback!

Glad you found the information useful.

Dianna Mendez on July 23, 2014:

Your post will help people to make a good contribution to better living in our environment. I applaud companies such as Target that collect phones to recyle. It makes you feel good to contribute.

Devika Primić from Dubrovnik, Croatia on July 23, 2014:

A very useful and informative hub. You have thought of a wonderful idea. Voted up and useful and interesting.

Chitrangada Sharan (author) from New Delhi, India on July 23, 2014:

Thank you rebeccamealey, for your kind visit and positive comments!

Chitrangada Sharan (author) from New Delhi, India on July 23, 2014:

Thanks Ericdierker, for your kind visit and appreciation!

Chitrangada Sharan (author) from New Delhi, India on July 23, 2014:

Thanks billybuc, for your kind visit and comments!

Glad you liked this information!

Rebecca Mealey from Northeastern Georgia, USA on July 23, 2014:

A good thing to do, and a Hub well written. Thanks!

Eric Dierker from Spring Valley, CA. U.S.A. on July 22, 2014:

Well done and very informative.

Bill Holland from Olympia, WA on July 22, 2014:

Good information. I'm for anything that helps this planet, and little gestures like this add up to big benefits.