Technology has come a long way. Every other day, we are faced with a new advancement, whether it’s a new gadget, a significant innovation or an upgrade of the already existing ones, innovations just won’t stop pouring in. Unveiled in 1973, the first ever handheld mobile phone was demonstrated by Motorola in New York City and from then till now, the mobile phone has been through various stages of growth. From the prototype weighing around 1.1 kg to the sleek and portable smartphones we all use today, mobile phones have evolved a lot. But whether it is a clunky device or a handy smartphone, it is bound to complete its lifespan.
Do you ever wonder what happens to your cellphones when you dispose of them after you’re done using them? Well, you’ll be surprised to know that most of them end up in landfills and contribute significantly to the growing waste problem. Like most electrical devices, mobile phones contain toxic substances that can harm the environment, wildlife, and humans if left in landfills to degrade. Lead, nickel, mercury, and chromium are a few examples. Therefore, it is so important to recycle old mobile phones or, better yet, find a way to reuse them.
There are plenty of ways to dispose of mobile phones and there are also many professional mobile phone disposal service in UK but how do you decide which one is the best way for you? This article lists some of the best ways to dispose of your mobile phone without inflicting any harm on the environment. Let’s be responsible and dispose of our mobile phones the green way.
Why should you recycle your mobile phone?
Do you know how much plastic a mobile phone uses? Much of what you see (and don’t see) is made of plastic, including the case and some smaller components. A mobile phone can also contain glass in the screen and various metals in the circuits, battery, screen, and elsewhere. These metals include aluminium, cadmium, chromium, copper, gold, iron, lead, lithium, nickel, silver, tin, and zinc. When thrown in the garbage, these materials can cause many problems.
Top three ways to safely dispose of your old mobile phones
1) Trade-ins and take-back programs
All major mobile companies and carriers offer mobile phone recycling schemes and they trade in and recycle the old models. However, some manufacturers only accept their own products. Major mobile phone manufacturers have trade-in programs for eligible older phones, in some cases offering credit or a gift card in return. They also provide free mail-in recycling for old devices without trade-in value. If you want to see if your phone model is eligible for such an offer, you can do a simple Google search for your device brand and see mobile phone disposal UK service.
2) A drop-off site
If your phone is very old and not eligible for a take-back program, you can explore other options to dispose of it. One of these options is to search for an e-waste drop-off site in your neighbourhood. Some of these dependable mobile phone recycling services in UK have kiosks around the UK and may buy your phone from you, depending on its type and condition. If not cash, they can at least accept it free of charge to recycle it. Just conduct a simple google search and you will find many such drop-off sites for mobile phone disposal UK.
3) Donate your old mobile phone
Your mobile phone may have become too old for you to use, but it might still add value to someone else’s life. You can consider selling it on used-stuff sites and marketplaces online such as a Facebook marketplace. Or you can even donate them and add value to someone’s life. many underprivileged people cannot afford the stuff we can, you can give it away to them. You can get the word out through friends or family and donate them to someone in need.
Conclusion
E-waste continues to grow by an estimated eight per cent annually. Whether you donate technology, sell your mobile device, or recycle it, you are honouring the three R’s of recycling: recycle, reduce, and reuse. Help make the world more eco-friendly by disposing of your old mobile phone through the channels mentioned above.