What is the Most Common Recycled Electronic Device?
More than 100 million Cell Phones Discarded Each Year in the US
While many people would guess that computers, laptops, and tablets are the most commonly recycled electronic devices, it’s actually smartphones and cell phones.
This makes sense when you think about it — for many people, getting a new smartphone is something that happens once every two or three years. Others might get a new cell phone every year.
This is especially true for businesses that need their employees to have the latest technology.
According to an article at GetRepowered.org, the average American buys a new phone every 18 months, resulting in somewhere between 100 to 120 million phones being discarded every year.
So, as a business, what should you do with your old phones? For many businesses, recycling is the simple answer. Once a phone has been reset to factory settings and the SIM card has been removed, it can be taken to a recycler immediately.
Selling old cell phones can take time and be a hassle, and if you’re a business that deploys many employee phones that have to be upgraded regularly, this only compounds the problem.
To learn how Protec Recycling can help, call us at 205-549-2120 or visit our Contact Us page today.
Recycling Your Old Cell Phones or Smartphones
Because cell phones and smartphones are found in just about everyone’s pocket, and because new ones are so expensive, old phones don’t have to end up in landfills.
As electronic recyclers, we love it when you recycle old cell phones or smartphones with us, because only about 1 in 10 smartphones actually get recycled. That means too many are simply discarded in ways that can add toxic metals and plastics to the environment, poisoning earth, water, and air.
At Protec Recycling in Alabama, we can help old phones find new uses, repurposing many devices in ways that extend their useful life and reduce e-waste. Old phones can be:
- Used for GPS devices and emergency communication by at risk populations.
- Used by non-profits and community organizations.
- Refurbished for use as backup phones in case a primary phone is lost.
- Dedicated for use as a music player, camera, or remote control.
Overall, the reuse and repurposing of old phones can help reduce e-waste and extend the life of these devices. If you decide to recycle your cell phones or smartphones, we’d love to help.
Our expert recyclers have the specialized training necessary to recycle these devices safely and securely (including protecting your personal information).
Schedule One-Time or Ongoing Cell Phone or Smartphone Recycling Services
From one-time recycling to regularly scheduled service, Protec Recycling helps you regularly (and properly) recycle your old cell phones and smartphones.
To schedule a pickup in our Alabama service area, call our office at 205-549-2120 or visit our Contact Us page today.