Recycling Cell Phones

There are about 115 million cell phones currently in use in the United States. These phones are upgraded on average every two years - resulting in millions of unwanted phones, batteries and accessories needing to be disposed of every year. Cell phones should never be put in the trash. They contain heavy metals and other poisonous materials that can pollute water and soil. Instead, you can donate your phone to one of the many organizations that collect unwanted phones. The phones are refurbished and distributed to needy families, schools and charities, both in America and in developing countries.

If your phone can't be refurbished it will be recycled. During the phone recycling process, plastics, gold, copper and other precious materials are collected. Nickel and cadmium are also extracted, by grinding phone batteries into small pieces and feeding them into a special furnace. This burns the plastic and allows the metals to be collected and cooled.

To find out where to recycle your unwanted cell phone, contact your local recycling program officer, or call your wireless carrier.

Worldwise, 2002.

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