If you are like most Americans,you have an old cell phone or two hanging around. Please don’t throw that old cell phone away,no matter how old it is. Like many other modern electronic devices,phones contain circuits boards,batteries and LCD that each contain a number of harmful materials.
When phones are dumped in landfills,these elements eventually break down and leech out into the environment. Lead,Cadmium and Mercury pollution could potentially cause deadly side effects and are the primary reason why states like California have made cell phone recycling mandatory for any retailers that sell mobile phones. Sadly,the heaps of obsolete computer equipment have a greater negative impact on the environment than phones,thus my previous blog topic of recycling old CPUs and monitors.
Not sure what to do with an old cell phone? At the very least,drop it off at your carrier. There are many places to donate your old phones…here are a few:
Tucson Gospel Rescue Mission
Cell Phones for Soldiers
PetsMart Charities
Have a green day! MO