Recycling old mobile phones, computers, and other electronic
devices has a number of advantages, including the recovering of rare earths and
conflict minerals, and protecting the environment from toxic waste. However, it
also has great social implications that perhaps don't cross your mind very
often. Just look at the figures: every year, around 128 million mobile phones
are estimated to be replaced with new ones, and some two million tonnes of
electronic equipment is discarded.
Recycling electronics supports the community in two ways: by
creating new jobs, and by providing access to modern technology to people
otherwise unable to afford it. The new jobs come as recycling expands and more
and more businesses become engaged with it, opening new recycling facilities.
It is therefore important to support this expansion by participating and
promoting electronics recycling. In the United States, there is already a law
prohibiting the export of electronic waste, which was earlier estimated to be
conducive to the creation of around 42,000 new jobs in the recycling industry.
Recycling can also take the form of donation to charities,
schools, and low-income families, allowing people who would otherwise be unable
to access modern technology use things like smartphones and personal computers.
A word of caution, however: don't donate very old mobile phones or desktops, as
this is likely to turn into a disadvantage for the organisation you donate them
to - as it would be hard for them to upgrade, make usable, or pass the old
devices on, and eventually they might have to do your job: give the device away
for actual recycling of the parts.
Visit the FoneHub website to learn more about selling mobile phones
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