Put simply, mobile recycling is a safe and ethical way to dispose of your old handset. As well as helping the environment, recycling your old mobile can also benefit your wallet, too. Read on to find out more.
Let’s face it, you probably have at least one old handset languishing at the back of a drawer at home.
So, why not give it to a mobile recycler - also known as a reseller - who will get rid of the device correctly - making sure no nasty stuff ends up in the environment - and, with any luck, swap it for cash?
What happens to my phone when it is recycled?
Just like recycling a plastic bottle or tin can, when your phone is recycled, most of the parts inside will eventually be reused for manufacturing.
To do this, a recycler will first extract the most useful parts. Those are the phone’s battery, Printed-Circuit-Boards (PCB) with gold connectors, LCD screens, keyboards and speakers, which are worth the most to recyclers.
Then, they will grind up the mobile parts and extract the metals they need. The same applies for plastic, too: components are incinerated to recover any plastic molecules left over. After that, these parts can be used for all number of things, including electricals, gadgets and even making new mobile devices.
Why should I recycle my phone?
Here’s a few reasons why we’re big fans of mobile recycling:
- For a tidy home - for starters, it’s a step towards decluttering your home. Think of all those dusty old gadgets you have lying around taking up space. And think of the extra drawer space you’ll have once you get rid of them.
- Buy a swanky new handset - if your phone is a newer model - say, two or three years old - and in decent condition, chances are, you’ll get a fair whack for it. And with the new phones growing more expensive every year, the cash you pocket for your old phone could go towards a deposit for the latest Samsung Galaxy or Apple iPhone.
- Help the environment - on average, us Brits swap our handsets every 12 -18 months or so. Which translates to a heck of a lot of harmful substances ending up in landfill. You see, the circuit boards in mobile phones carry a plethora of hazardous chemicals, including arsenic, cadmium, lead, nickel and zinc. By recycling your handset, then, you’re doing your bit to ensure these substances stay out of the atmosphere and drinking water.
- Help a charity - you could also give your old handset to a charity. Some charities will use the money for your old device to buy things like tools and schoolbooks, while others will give it to those in third world countries who need a mobile device. To raise valuable funds, charities will often pass on the devices to mobile phone recycler companies.
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What is mobile recycling comparison?
The good news is there’s a myriad of charities, supermarkets and resellers who are only all too happy to take your old phone off your hands, so recycling your phone couldn’t be easier. Most supermarkets will even send you a prepaid envelope and offer incentives to recycle your device.
Some of the best ways to recycle your old phone include:
- Online - mobile sites like Mazuma Mobile and Gadget Convertor could pay handsomely for your phone, especially if it’s in fairly good nick and a recent model. To make sure you find the best deal for you, we recommend using a mobile comparison site like SellMyMobile.
- In store - these days, most second-hand shops accept old phones - and may even give you decent money for them, depending on condition. Check out your local second-hand electrical store to see what they have to offer you. .
- Recycling centre - if you’re not too bothered about picking up extra cash for your handset, you could drop it off in your local recycling centre. Look out for containers marked ‘small electricals.’
- Charities - as we say, there are a number of charities out there who would be delighted to take your old handset off your hands. The device itself doesn’t have to work, necessarily - the charity could still get some decent cash for the parts inside.
All that said, before you consider recycling your old phone, we recommend using a mobile comparison site like SellMyMobile to make sure you get the best possible price for it, first.
It’s also important to make sure any data is removed from the device, too. To find out the safest and easiest way to do this, hit the button below:
How to delete your mobile data
So, there you have it - that’s phone recycling in a nutshell; great for the environment and even greater for your wallet. To that end, have a look through your drawers - you could be looking at a windfall of a few hundred pounds or more.
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