Old Cell Phones Create A Lot Of Waste: there are programs in place that can use old cell phones for good causes and keep them out of the garbage

Cellular phones are always "advancing" with new features. The disposing of cell phones that are still good can lead to pollution problems, both from the cell phone and from the amount of material that is used to create each cell phone. It's something that is becoming a crisis in Britain. But if you need new features on a telephone and can't stay with it for longer there are ways that you can reuse them towards good causes.

Dumped mobiles cause waste crisis

A Science Museum exhibition this week reveals we discard 1,700 phones an hour, each packed with toxins. Now experts are calling for action
Robin McKie, science editor
Sunday March 26, 2006
The Observer

...The explosive growth in mobile ownership over the past decade means the country is deluged by old phones, each packed with lethal cocktails of mercury, nickel and other compounds.

Every hour, 1,700 mobiles are dumped by Britons buying better ones to take advantage of offers from the networks. This accumulation of dead ringers is an onslaught on our ecology: 15 million phones, each bursting with toxic chemicals, are thrown out to be buried in landfill sites or left in drawers and cupboards.

'We are creating a dangerous legacy, given the incredible rate of new devices dumped daily,' said Alison Conboy, one of the designers of an exhibition on the future of mobile phones, Dead Ringers?, at the Science Museum this week.

These mounds of discarded Nokias, Samsungs and Motorolas are just one aspect of a major new ecological threat: electronic waste. Other sources include TV sets and computers. 'People keep electronic devices for shorter periods,' said Zeina Alhajj of Greenpeace. 'A decade ago, the average life of a PC was 10 years. Today it is three. But that is nothing compared to mobile phones': 18 months.'

Mobile phones could last for 10 years, with occasional battery replacements. However, consumers - particularly people aged under 30 - are constantly pressed to change. The early mobiles were simple but clunky. Current models act as cameras, diaries and contacts books as well as phones...

...Every mobile is stuffed with different metals and plastics. There may only be tiny amounts in each, but given the millions dumped each year that represents a formidable ecological onslaught.

'It takes an incredible amount of energy and material to make a mobile,' said Fiona-Grace Peppler, of the Science Museum. Estimates suggest that about 2 kilograms of raw materials are used to make a single phone. 'These include nickel, lithium, tin, mercury and lead as well as plastics and liquid crystal display materials,' she added. Most of these substances are now simply dumped with household refuse. But landfill sites are being used up, and there is a danger of the metals leaching into underground water supplies. As a result, Britain is now preparing to implement Europe's legislation on electrical and electronic equipment waste this year.

Ideas for tighter laws include pressing manufacturers to introduce more biodegradable materials such as those in Kerry Kirwan's phone. NEC is one firm investigating such devices. Other plans include measures to cut dumping...

So what can you do personally. Well first is reusing. Think about if you really need that new cell (there seem to be endless promotions but will you actually use the new features?) There are also innovative ways to make sure that your cell phones get re-used when it doesn't have the features you need anymore. Bell Canada has a program that gives cell phones to women who were abused by a partner:

Bell Mobility's "Recycle, Reuse, Redial" program isn't just diverting tons of serviceable phones from landfill. It's giving women seeking shelter from abusive relationships a way to connect with others safely and privately. Launched in 2003, the program collects used mobile phones for donation to 150 women's shelters. We've given away 6,500 phones since the start of the program. In addition, we donated 1,500 units in 2004 to the 2nd Stage Program, which supports women leaving shelters to start a new life. With the phones came unlimited local airtime, call display and 9-1-1 access.

First off women's shelters don't run on very much money. There is no way they could provide a phone for each person living there in the short term. But having a phone for each resident would make it that much easier for them to start getting their lives started again. It is only part of what the woman will need, but every bit helps. Also it's much easier to make cell phone call untraceable...And for someone trying to get away from an abusive spouse that is important. Also they can carry it around with them, not just at home or in a shelter or where they move afterwards. Cell phones have become a fact of life, but it would be a problem if you became easier to track down, because of the cell phone you needed for job interviews. Living in a women's shelter it means that each women can have a phone, which can help her get her life back on track.

It's not just Bell that runs these programs. In some cases the police are giving women phones, which will just dial 911 (or were maybe things are more advanced now, I heard of that program several years ago), for safety if they are in a dangerous domestic situation (or have just left one). A portable phone was safer than a stationary one as they could take it places with them. The program from Bell is the first thing that came up under a Canadian search that was related. If you do get a new cell you could use the program at Bell (it would be interesting to see if they would take non Bell Cells) or ask what your company is doing with used cells. I know that they are also sometimes used for fundraising...In my city one group donates money to the food bank for used cell phones and empty ink jet cartridges. Look around. Because there is a way to do something good with your old cell when you move on.P