Last updated April 12, 2019
The need for the responsible recycling of old cell phones and other forms of electrical goods has never been more pressing. The rate of technological innovation seems to be increasing by the day and the impact on the environment of discarded old cell phones and other electronic items can be very damaging, with these items containing carcinogenic heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, and mercury, which can also be extremely dangerous to human health.
Even when they are recycled, old cell phones and similar forms of electrical goods need to be handled carefully to ensure that toxins still do not escape into the environment, as well as to ensure the health and safety of those who are handling the goods as they undergo the recycling process. In California, legislation was introduced six years ago, back in 2005, to add a fee to the cost of any electronic device which contains a screen. The fee was meant to be pooled together eventually in order to facilitate recycling collection events which would allow people to dispose of their old cell phones and similar items in a safe and responsible manner. Unfortunately, many companies that attempt to stage such collection events are sometimes only in it for the money they receive from the government, and their recycling processes might be less than ideal.
Fortunately, there are a number of reputable recycling companies – such as SellCell – who are licensed and capable of recycling old cell phones in a safe and responsible manner and can also be trusted to destroy any personal data on the mobile.