Creative Ways Companies are Using Used Cell Phone Materials

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), less than 20 percent of cell phones are recycled each year. Unfortunately, because many consumers do not know where or how to recycle cell phones, most often end up in landfills. This is quite a waste, since cell phones are made from precious metals, copper and plastics-all of which used energy to extract and manufacture. By sending used cell phones to landfills, consumers are throwing away precious resources.

There are ways in which all brands of cell phones-from used AT&T cell phones and used Blackberry cell phones to used Sprint cell phones and used Verizon cell phones-can be recycled. And, if consumers choose to recycle their used cell phones, they will be reducing green house gas emissions and conserving natural resources.

One way in which people can get started is by participating in the National Cell Phone Recycling Week. This program is sponsored by the EPA and is actually a joint effort with many different service providers, cell phone manufacturers, and retailers of cell phone products. Held each year just before Earth Day, this week-long event includes in-store and online promotions, giveaways, and contests while also providing consumers easy ways in which they can recycle their used cell phones and accessories.

Some states have been working toward increasing cell phone recycling. For example, California has enacted a law which requires cell phone retailers to provide a method for people to return cell phones for reuse, recycling, or proper disposal. In other words, Verizon customers in California who purchase cheap Verizon cell phones will be told by store retailers how they can recycle or dispose of any used Verizon cell phones that they may already own. Several other states have similar laws or are pursuing similar legislation.

Where Do Recycled Cell Phones Go

Many people wonder about where-exactly-recycled cell phones go. What are they good for and who uses them? Well, as it turns out, there are actually a few possibilities for which used cell phones might be used:

• Some phones, such as used Blackberry cell phones or some used Sprint cell phones, may be refurbished and resold in the United States or abroad. Companies such as DotCells.com refurbish used phones and sell them individually or in bulk. Newer models of phones that are turned in for recycling as well as those which contain multiple features are more likely to be used for this purpose.
• Some basic phones-perhaps used AT&T cell phones that are in excellent condition-may be used as 911 phones, which can only be used to call for emergency help. These phones are helpful for people who cannot afford a cellular plan, yet who want the peace of mind of having an emergency phone.
• Older and non-working cell phones are recycled for their components. While the materials in cell phones are in small amounts, companies do extract certain resources such as plastic, glass, gold, and other useful components.

Used phones that are disposed of still have life let to them whether sold in workable condition at AT&T, Dotcells.com, and eBay for example or deconstructed into individual components that can be used for new creations.

Recycling is becoming a rather big business these days, and many types of unwanted technology-aside from cell phones--are able to be recycled. Consumers nowadays can recycle printer cartridges, rechargeable batteries, televisions, computers, and much more.

Learn More:

Learn more about used verizon cell phones and used blackberry cell phones at DotCells.com