|  | Public Health Safety | Environmental Health

Cellular Recycling Centers

Most cellphone users have at least one old cellphone stored away somewhere. As new models come out regularly and some users are even forced to upgrade to newer models in order to continue to use the service, old cellphones use up storage space in many homes. These devices contain dangerous chemicals such as mercury and cadmium in their batteries. They should either be safely recycled to reclaim the chemicals and protect the environment from potential contamination, or they should be put to new use.

  1. Donation

    • In terms of positive environmental impact, reusing a device is better than recycling it. Reuse avoids the need to create a new device and ultimately conserves resources and energy. Cellphones are no different than anything else in this respect, and a number of good options exist for cellphone donation. Even if cellphones are no longer connected to a wireless plan, the law requires that they be able to make emergency calls. For that reason, many organizations that work with the elderly, victims of domestic violence, or the homeless accept donated cellphones and distribute them to needy individuals who can use them to call for urgent emergency aid.

    Returning Used Phones to the Manufacturer

    • Many phone manufacturers accept used cellphones for recycling. In some areas, the law requires that they do so, although many do it voluntarily, as it gives them the opportunity to recycle certain components for new models. Contact your cellphone manufacturer or wireless company to see if they offer such a service. Some manufacturers may offer a small rebate on a new phone in exchange for old cellphones that are turned in for recycling.

    Recycling at Electronics Stores

    • A number of major national electronics retailers, including Radio Shack, Office Depot, Best Buy and Staples, have recycling bins in their stores to accept used electronics devices and cellphones. Depending on the store and the particular program, the cellphones are either recycled for parts in the store's repair operations, returned in bulk to the manufacturers, handed over to third-party donation organizations, or sent to waste-management centers for recycling or safe disposal.

    Your Local Recycling Center

    • Not all local recycling centers are equipped to process electronic waste. The process requires very sophisticated sorting and machinery because of the large number of different materials that make up a single electronic device. You should contact your local recycling center to ask if they are able to recycle or safely dispose of used electronic devices like cellphones. At the very least, your local recycling center should be able to point you in the right direction or inform you of local organizations that accept cellphones.

Environmental Health - Related Articles