Facts About Cell Phones

In today's world, a cell phone does much more than make calls. It can be an alarm clock, GPS unit, MP3 player, personal assistant and provide the entire Internet in the palm of your hand.

Constantly changing cell phone technologies – and incentives to upgrade your phone – provide a higher demand for cell phone reuse and recycling.

Here are a few facts about cell phones and recycling:

• Every year, upgrades or damage make 100 million cell phones obsolete.
• In 2007, the recycling rate for cell phones was just 10 percent.
• The average life span of a cell phone is 18 months.
• The average American cell phone user owns three or more cellular phones.
• Up to 75 percent of obsolete phones are stockpiled in drawers, including the battery and the charger.
• Each year in April, the EPA’s Plug-In To eCycling program sponsors a “National Cell Phone Recycling Week” to encourage proper phone disposal.
• Cell phone coatings are often made of lead, and their lithium-ion batteries can explode if exposed to high temperatures or direct sunlight, which are common conditions in landfills.
• Cell phones in working condition are often donated to people with disabilities or shelters for battered women, as any phone is capable of dialing 911 regardless of its service.
• Although there have been talks about creating a universal phone charger, there are currently numerous models that can be recycled along with a cell phone.
• The world’s largest cell phone recycler, ReCellular, collects 25,000 cell phones daily from more than 40,000 collection sites.