The recent release of Apple’s new iPhone 4 has sent its predecessor the iPhone 3G to the top of the recycling charts in the UK. Not surprising really, given that the new iPhone’s launch has been a runaway success. Apple has sold over 1.7million worldwide since it was released on June 24 and many buyers are existing iPhone users.
Astute consumers are checking out mobile phone recycling sites for the best deal on their old iPhone. They have also realised that the best deal can be obtained by acting quickly. For example Cell Zone indicates a top price of £192 can be achieved for the iPhone 3G 16GB. This money can be usefully used to offset the cost of a new iPhone 4.
Smartphones attract a far higher resale value than older mobiles and it may well be that factor alone that drives up mobile phone recycling rates from historically low levels. Why would any sane person want to leave something worth potentially over £200 lying around in a drawer for years?
This current recycling frenzy surrounding the previous version of the iPhone certainly suggests that the main driver to act in an environmentaly responsible way is financial rather than a desire to be kind to the planet. However, this is to be expected given the harsh economic times we now find ourselves in.