The world of mobile phone ownership must be one of the most faddish aspects of modern life and it can be expensive to keep up.
Continuous advances in mobile technology and fashion changes mean that people are very keen to upgrade their phones. Handsets quickly become redundant and are discarded or stashed away in a drawer somewhere where they are forgotten.
Most mobile phone users are very knowledgeable about the specifications of the built-in camera or MP3 player, or the memory capacity of their phone. However, people are usually far less aware of the potential dangers lurking in these very useful gadgets, when it comes to their disposal.
Most electronic devices contain materials such as lead, beryllium, arsenic, mercury and antimony. These need to be disposed of safely because exposure to them can damage the nervous system, kidneys, liver, lungs, mouth and teeth. Furthermore, burning these materials emits toxic gases that can damage the Earth’s atmosphere. Humans are either unaware or ignore these consequences and e-waste is now rapidly becoming a huge problem.
Nevertheless, with some understanding and co-operation a straightforward solution is available. Mobile phone owners can also gain a return on their investment. Selling old mobile phones to one of the increasing number of mobile phone recycling companies is the way ahead. They will either sell phones on to the developing world for further use or recycle them safely. Consumers can also contribute even more effectively by buying brands that reuse or recycle parts.