One of the greatest things the mobile phone industry is that it is extremely dynamic.
So, we have models that turn outdated even within a month.
Naturally, the users feel the constant desire to update their handsets with the latest version.
But, like any advantage, this has its own drawbacks as well.
Often our yearnings to possess a new handset lead us to ignore our old friends.
But, this can be quite dangerous in more than one way.
Of course this can damage the environment with the harmful materials that it contains.
In fact, the problem regarding the mobile phone waste is the largest among the e-waste.
This is why it is very important that we understand this crisis and take proper steps to stop this hazard.
One of the greatest problems with the old mobile phones is the materials used in them.
The materials that are used to make them can be very harmful if they are disposed in a proper way.
Statistics say that people of North America gets a new handset after every 16 to 22 months.
Now, the dangerous materials like the mercury, lead, cadmium, and arsenic of the older phones must be disposed of properly.
Again, in the UK, almost 50 million people use cell phones.
There to, the users upgrade their phones after 18 month in an average.
That means, almost 20 million cell phones are upgraded every month.
Now, that is quite a hazardous figure for sure.
Now, as far as the recycling of the cell phones are concerned, a mere 20% of the old phones are recycled properly.
So, there are almost 100 million phones that are neglected in the drawers of the cell phone users there.
Interestingly, if they are collected, it will weigh more than the enormous London Eye.
However, there are plenty of ways through which you can recycle your old phone to reduce the risk of the cell phones.
In fact, you will shocked to learn that the amount of cadmium used in a single mobile phone is enough to contaminate six thousands liters of water.
Flame, another material used in the mobile phones can cause serious damage to the liver.
Lead can damage the central nervous system and the immune system of a person.
Again, beryllium can cause lung cancer and is eminently present in the mobile phones.
Coming back to the ways of recycling the mobile phones, the best thing that you can do is to donate it to the local charity.
This will ensure that your cell phone is reaching people who want it desperately and yet, cannot afford it.
But, if you are interested in charities you can take it to the retail shop and get a new phone in exchange.
That will certainly give you some discount on the new phone.
There are different auction sites that will help you in this respect.
However, if you don't find any of them, you should find out the mobile phone recycling sites that will help you in this respect.