It’s undeniable that cell phones have become an essential part of our lives, providing connection, safety, and information at the tip of our fingers. We live in a fast-paced tech-focused world and have become dependent on a gadget that is constantly evolving. But if we’re always in pursuit of the newest, fastest smartphone, what happens to all the old models we leave behind?
A Culture of Constant Replacement
While the evolution of smartphones has been rapid over the last four decades, the introduction of touchscreen smartphones has exponentially increased the amount of cell phone turnover. In the early days of mobile phones, consumers didn’t replace their phones on a yearly or biyearly basis, but fragile glass screens, ever-updating software, shortened battery life, and a revolving door of new and exciting models have changed that for good. According to a 2022 poll, 1 in 10 American survey respondents reported that they get a new smartphone every year, with most respondents reporting they wait two to three years.
How Does Throwing Away Phones Affect the Environment?
Throwing away cell phones can cause major damage to the Earth, its ecosystems, and all of its inhabitants. Our planet has a finite supply of lithium, neodymium, and antimony, rare earth elements required to make cell phones. These elements are also used in the green energy solutions that are integral to combatting the climate crisis like electric vehicles and wind turbines.
Arsenic and lead are also found in phone batteries and can cause illness from leaching into groundwater. Even low levels of arsenic exposure can cause skin issues, and lead is toxic to plant life and damages the nervous system of humans and animals alike. Mercury from phones can easily make its way into waterways, thanks to its liquid form, and fish to humans upon ingestion, causing effects like brain damage, congenital disabilities, and miscarriage.
Additionally, the majority of e-waste is sent to landfills and incinerated, which releases harmful toxins into the air, with the rest sent to developing countries where workers extract the precious metals. Because e-waste workers are often unprotected, they end up inhaling toxins when electronic parts are burned.
The Importance of Cell Phone Recycling
The amount of electronic waste we generate is staggering—around 40 million tons of electronic waste every year, worldwide. E-waste comprises 70% of our overall toxic waste, and only 12.5% of e-waste is recycled. Plus, plastic from phone accessories like cases and pop sockets can take anywhere from 20 to 500 years to decompose, also leaching into topsoil.
It might feel overwhelming to think about, but our everyday choices can actually make a difference. Just one recycled cell phone saves enough energy to charge a laptop for about 44 hours, and one million recycled cell phones can yield 35,274 pounds of copper, 772 pounds of silver, 75 pounds of gold and 33 pounds of palladium. After being processed, new phones can be made with these materials, all without the need for mining.
Choose Big Sky for Sustainable Cell Phone Recycling
When you recycle your phone with Big Sky Recycling, you’re making a meaningful impact on the planet and reducing electronic waste. Our secure recycling program accepts most devices and ensures that materials are responsibly processed. Trust us to handle your used cell phone the right way.