August 18, 2021 - BY Admin

How To Recycle Technology

The proliferation of smartphones and other personal communication devices in the last few years has made communications comfortable, convenient, and inexpensive. It has also created millions of tons of toxic electronic trash.

Cadmium, chromium, lead, and mercury are among the toxic and potentially cancer-causing substances used to manufacture smartphones and other personal electronics. Wehn phones and other devices are discarded, these substances leach into groundwater and poison plants, animals -- and sometimes people.

In the U.S. alone, Americans tossed 126 million mobile phones in 2007. Between 2008 and 20012, "the developing world tripled its disposal of electronic junk." While almost everything in a smartphone is recyclable, Martin Nielsen, chief executive of Waste Systems, says the U.S. recycling rate for personal electronic devices is incredibly low at only 18 percent. The Electronics Takeback Coalition released a report detailing that the cell phone recycling rate is at an embarrassing 10 percent.

So, what should we do with unwanted electronic devices? Find a business that accepts used electronics as part of a recycling program. Stores like Best Buy and Apple will take any unwanted electronic devices for recycling. Don't chuck your electronics into the garbage by default.