Greenkama

Don't just throw away your old and broken cell phones!

Author: Ralf Nowotny

Don't just throw away cell phones
Article image: Shutterstock / By Michabo

More and more new cell phones are coming onto the market, which means that old cell phones often end up in household waste.

The problem, however, is that cell phones consist of a variety of components that can be recycled, such as gold, silver and copper. Disposing of it in household waste is also prohibited, but very few people care about the environment. Recycling cell phones isn't all that difficult and is good for the environment!

As our partner checked4you reports, carelessly throwing away cell phones also leads to growing environmental problems. The Congo is given as an example: more and more rainforest is being destroyed there for the ore coltan, which is needed for the small components in cell phones, which is also the habitat of the gorillas.

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Statistically speaking, every German citizen has at least one broken or unused cell phone in their drawer. If these cell phones were to be recycled, metals worth around 100 million euros would be collected that could be used for further recycling. The advantage: fewer ores would have to be mined and the already exploited environment is less polluted.

In this article from Bayerischer Rundfunk you can find out a little about what happens to cell phones that are handed in:

 

Basically you should think about the following :

Can it be something new?

Sure, a smartphone is a noble piece, but do you really need the functions that a brand new one has or is a used one sufficient? This is significantly cheaper and also protects the environment. You can also play all the classics on older smartphones, and many messengers also work with them. Generally speaking, every day that you use your old cell phone for longer saves a piece of the earth.

Bought a new one or better bought a used one?

Then where to go with the old man? As long as the cell phone still works, it should continue to be used. If you need money, you can earn a few euros by selling used items or generously give it away to little siblings who may not be able to afford a new one.

The trash can for broken cell phones is convenient, but not the right place!

An old cell phone still contains metals that can be recovered through recycling. Even valuable gold (take a look at the contact surfaces of the cell phone battery)! The quantities per cell phone are far too small to make money with, but since statistically every citizen has an old cell phone in their drawer, metals come together for over 100 million euros. Recycling is doubly worthwhile: On the one hand, no new metals need to be extracted from the earth, and the workers and the local environment are protected. On the other hand, you can do good with the precious metal winnings.

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Zoos and environmental organizations advocate cell phone recycling programs. For each cell phone donated, you will receive an amount between around 50 cents and 2 euros, which you can use for animal and environmental protection. So it's worth looking for a collection box at the zoo or asking local environmentalists.

If all of this is too complicated for you, you can pack up your old cell phone the next time you're in town and take it to one of the many cell phone shops. They all accept old cell phones. However, usually without any donation to the environment. But it's definitely better than just throwing it in the trash!

More tips:

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Notes:

1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication
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