| With greater emphasis on environmental issues, | | | | One of the most damaging elements of a modern |
| coupled with the ever increasing popularity of mobile | | | | mobile phone are often the chemicals used within the |
| phones, there appears to be a slight conflict of issues. | | | | batteries and other component parts. If these are |
| Even devout green consumers utilise mobile phones, | | | | improperly disposed of then they can potentially pose |
| but all the while appreciate the harmful effects | | | | a significant threat to their surrounding environment; |
| disposing of them improperly can cause. | | | | particularly if found with numerous other similar |
| With the jumble of metals and plastics that go into | | | | handsets. |
| creating the modern mobile phone, disregarding them | | | | Mobile phones should be treated like any other kind of |
| at the end of their life into landfill can be extremely | | | | waste when it comes to disposal. Many of us go to |
| hazardous. Technophiles and technophobes alike are | | | | great lengths to filter our recyclable material from |
| continually embracing the latest designs, often replacing | | | | regular waste; the same should also be true of your |
| them at the end of contracts or when there's | | | | old phone. Disposing of it should be done in the most |
| becomes horribly outdated. But what becomes of | | | | ethical and convenient way. Fortunately many places, |
| these old warn out handsets? | | | | including many council refuge tips, will offer a |
| Fortunately, those with an ecological conscience can | | | | straightforward way of ridding yourself of a mobile |
| benefit from one of a number of schemes to recycle | | | | long past its best days. |
| old mobile phones. You needn't be left out of pocket | | | | It can be like saying goodbye to an old friend when |
| either. Many of these projects now offer a reasonable | | | | you finally get rid of that old phone you've been |
| amount of money in return for your old device, giving | | | | carrying around for months and months. Of course, |
| an added incentive to what is a fantastic and | | | | some will be more cherished than others, in fact some |
| much-needed innovation. | | | | you'd rather just see the back of as soon as possible. |
| Even when we have grown tired or have replaced | | | | But whatever way you do decide to part company |
| our old mobiles, they can still have a use. Whether they | | | | with your phone, ensure that it is the right way. |
| can be repackaged and sold or stripped down for their | | | | If you are looking for more information on companies |
| components and accessories, very few mobile phones | | | | that recycle phones and those who offer financial |
| are ever beyond use. Even if yours has met with a | | | | rewards for those that are still in a reasonable position, |
| horrible accident and is well beyond saving, there are | | | | the Internet is a great place to start. There are |
| still recycling options available to you. Okay, you | | | | thousands of sites offering advice and also giving you |
| shouldn't expect any financial reimbursement, but at | | | | the opportunity to send in your mobile in exchange for |
| least you can be safe in the knowledge that your | | | | cash. You can also locate local recycling centres and |
| mobile will be properly disposed of, rather than | | | | refuge tips, who may also be able to provide a safe |
| decaying for decades in a landfill. | | | | resting place for your old mobile phone. |