(ORDO NEWS) — Even though they contain some precious metals such as copper, silver and gold, a huge number of cell phones are thrown into the trash.
The acquisition of a new smartphone is undoubtedly a pleasant event. The new model usually comes with a better camera, more storage, a better screen, and more.
However, all this constant circulation of smartphones is damaging the environment, especially as a result of recycling old phones.
A 2018 study predicts that smartphones and data centers will be the most environmentally damaging part of the communications sector by 2040.
While there are various recycling options for smartphones, phones and other waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) are not recycled for many reasons.
The WEE Forum and the UN Global E-Waste Monitor estimate that about 5.3 billion mobile phones will be thrown away in 2022.
For comparison, if you stack their unused phones on top of each other, then the height of the resulting tower will be approximately 20,000 kilometers.
At the same time, laptops and mobile phones thrown into landfills release toxic chemicals into the environment.
The experts found that the average household has 74 electronic devices, such as phones, tablets, laptops, power tools, hair dryers, toasters and other appliances.
Of this average total number of electronic products, 13 are stored, of which 9 remain unused but work, and 4 are broken.
The most commonly stockpiled are consumer electronics and accessories such as headphones and remote controls, watches, information technology equipment, mobile phones and smartphones , and cooking equipment.
Despite valuable gold, copper, silver, palladium and other recyclable components, experts expect most of them to disappear into drawers, cabinets, garages or be thrown into trash cans.
A published UN policy paper outlines options for addressing the global problem of e-waste, including the establishment of universal recycling standards and legal regulations.
In addition, recycled household appliances can yield some valuable materials such as gold, copper, silver and palladium that can be reused in other products.
One of the best ways to dispose of a smartphone at the end of its life is to give it directly to the phone manufacturer, a retail store, or even donate it to a charity for restoration.
There are also several ways to upgrade an old smartphone by turning it into an alarm clock, security camera, or e-book reader.
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