Recycling mobile phones: A eco-friendly guide

Gadgets such as mobiles and tablets have changed our lives drastically during the past few years making everyday life comfortable and improving communication. But what many people don’t know is that these very gadgets, after living off their time-span, if not disposed properly, can prove to be a veritable threat to the environment thereby endangering the very existence of life on Earth.

According to Hitesh Dhingra, CEO, Letsbuy.com,“e-waste is a real problem and is only growing bigger and more difficult to tackle. While the need for new and better devices is growing simultaneously, all of us as users of electronic devices have the responsibility of keeping our Earth clean.”

A mobile phone contains many harmful chemicals such as Arsenic, Cadmium, Lead and Beryllium. With more than 3 billion mobile phone users in the world, mobile phones are amongst the biggest causes of e-waste. Safe disposal of cellphones is necessary to prevent build up of toxins that can cause grave harm to the environment and the eco-system.

Websites such as eBay and Quickr provide one with an easy platform to sell off their mobile phone or tablet. This way one can make easy money too. These websites provide a secure platform for the buyer and the seller to come together and charge set fees for every resell.

According to a recent press release, Letsbuy.com has also launched a similar green initiative. They have a three-step process through which the product is evaluated, picked up from the consumer’s doorstep and exchanged for Letsbuy.com gift vouchers. Letsbuy.com would also select a few of the sellers and plant trees in their names.

You can also give your old phones to charities such as shelter alliance that would provide a phone to those in need.

If your mobile is not functional, you can actually give it up for recycling. Many recycling centers are opening up in cities such as Mumbai and Delhi.

Apart from the phone other parts pertaining to cellphone should also be disposed off in an efficient manner. These include the battery, charger and the USB cord.

If you want to dispose off your phone, there is no dearth of choices. It depends upon you to make the smart and eco-friendly one.