Around 100-120 million smartphones are thrown away each year due to the buying habits of mobile phone users. The average customer will purchase a new phone every 18 months. With such large numbers, old cell phones have become the most rapidly expanding type of electronic waste. This is a major issue since electronic trash includes numerous harmful elements. More so since many individuals choose to discard their phones, filling landfills and contaminating air and groundwater at alarming rates.

Why Recycle Mobile Phones?

Modern technology made it possible to recycle mobile phones. Up to 80% of the materials used in cell phones may be recycled and repurposed. Listed below are the reasons why recycling mobile phones are essential.

  • Contains Toxic Substances. Mobile phones contain toxic substances. Mobile phones like most electrical devices consist of various materials, mostly toxic substances. Toxic substances harm the environment, wildlife, and humans. The 2 most harmful substances contained in mobile gadgets are mercury and lead. Mercury has long been linked to brain damage, muscle difficulties, and other medical concerns. Lead has the potential to cause cancer and neurological harm. A certified recycler will understand how to securely treat the phone’s hazardous elements.
  • Conserve Resources. A phone’s gold, solder, and silicon may all be salvaged and reused. Some commodities, such as rare earth elements used in electronics, can only be obtained from certain countries and might be shut off in the event of a conflict. A trained and skilled recycler may be able to recover some of the plastic, metal, and rare earth materials if your mobile phone is no longer functional. Alternatively, you will save significant natural resources by not having to create another one if your gadget still works.
  • Earn Money. Some sellers may even provide customers a cash incentive for turning over an outdated phone. Apart from the environmental and safety benefits of recycling a phone, you may also receive a substantial financial incentive.

How To Recycle Your Old Phone?

There are 2 methods of recycling an old phone.

  • Dispose of the old phone at a local recycling facility that accepts irreparable electronic gadgets.
  • Trade in your working smartphone for an upgrade.

Recycle Your Old Electronics at TechWaste Recycling and Save our Environment

Trade in a Working Old Phone

You need to prepare the working old smartphone before trading the gadget. This guarantees that your data is protected. Follow these 7 steps to prepare your old phone prior to selling or trading the unit.

  1. Clean it thoroughly. Avoid using ammonia-based cleaners, which are often found in window cleaners. Instead, use alcohol.
  2. Back up your data. Check your phone’s manual and online on how to back up all your phone’s data.
  3. Perform a factory reset. A factory reset will remove around 95% of all personal information from the phone.
  4. Take the SD and SIM cards out. Remove any SIM, SD memory, or other memory or capability cards that you may have inserted into the phone.
  5. Test basic functions. Is everything operational? Examine the backlight, charging ports, volume control, touchscreen, power button, camera, and screen for dead pixels.
  6. Turn in for recycling or refurbishing. Inform the organization to whom you provide your phone about its overall condition. They’ll normally test the fundamental functionality to ensure everything is in working order. Make sure they credit you for a trade-in or trade-up on your account if the smartphone is in good condition. Simply inform the recycling center that the gadget is for recycling if the mobile phone is already damaged and irreparable.

Electronic recycling R2-certified companies like TechWaste Recycling can also manage the disposal of your mobile phone. Give them a call to schedule a pickup, check the location areas we cover.