Disadvantages of Recycling Mobile Phones
We all know that recycling mobile phones have plenty of environmental
benefits. But recycling mobile phones also have some disadvantages.
These includes toxic waste byproducts which can be harmful to the
environment, lack of awareness for some, lack of recycling
infrastructure for other countries and problems with personal
information stored in the phone.
Toxicity Levels
No matter how small it is, but mobile phones contain toxic elements that
can be harmful to human beings and to the environment. Toxic elements
includes mercury, cadmium and lead. These elements can be obtain during
the recycling process. Left over toxic waste often ends up in landfills.
Therefore, the soil and water resources along the area will be affected
be these toxins.
Personal Information
Some mobile phone users keep their personal information in their cell
phones, this may not be good because if their phone landed in the wrong
hands, their personal information will be captured. Important
information like addresses, Social Security Numbers and contact details
should not be kept elsewhere. All the information in the cell phone
should be cleared first before sending your phone to recycle.
Lack of Awareness
Some people are not aware of mobile phone recycling. According to survey
only 4% of mobile phone users in Australia send their old mobile phones
to recycle. For people who are living in the remote areas, they may not
be bothered going to the city and have their old phone recycled. The
tendency is, they have to keep their old mobile phones in their closet
or throw it away. This is where the problem starts.
Lack of Recycling Infrastructure
Not all countries and cities all over the world have recycling
infrastructure. It may be because they don't get any support from the
local government or from the mobile phone manufacturer. The tendency is,
the old mobile phones will turn to waste and end up in landfills
somewhere.
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