It seems that new smartphone models are being released every month, but with the release of these new devices come millions of pounds of electronic waste that are disposed of carelessly each year. This isn’t just an eyesore; it’s also harmful to the environment and our health. 

It’s hard to believe that such tiny and compact phones can cause so much environmental destruction when they are disposed of, but it’s true. So how do we fix this problem? Most people don’t think about the environmental impact of disposing of electronics until it’s too late, but the reality is that there are things you can do to help reduce your smartphone or electronic waste. 

Smartphones and Electronic Waste

The average lifespan for a smartphone is about two years. It would take about fifty (50) smartphones to make one laptop screen, and it takes about five hundred (500) laptops screens to make one TV. 

When the number of electronics in the world becomes too high, many of them end up being disposed of improperly which can lead to a huge number of electronic waste and toxins being released into the environment. If you are thinking that your contribution doesn't matter because there are so many other people doing the same thing, think again. 

Electronics recycling makes a big difference in not only reducing the amount of e-waste but also reducing environmental toxins. Electronics manufacturers have been able to recover billions worth of materials from recycling old electronics. 

Recycling these materials helps reduce the need to mine new ones and also reduces emissions associated with extracting raw material from the earth. 

The popularity of smart phones means more and more consumers will be buying new models every year. In order to keep up with this demand for electronics, companies use non-renewable resources like copper, aluminum, gold, silver and zinc in their manufacturing process. 

These metals must be mined out of the earth and processed before they can be reused in electronics production. Mining for these minerals releases large amounts of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide into the air. 

These chemicals have significant effects on climate change by trapping heat near Earth's surface, causing ocean acidification, ice melting, and increased global temperatures. All of these factors combined make it important for us to recycle our electronics instead of disposing of them incorrectly. 

We all know how important recycling plastic bottles, paper, cardboard and glass is - if we continue throwing away our old cell phones and computers without disposing of them properly then all those recyclables we've saved over time will be wasted.

The Problem With Smartphones

There are many problems that arise when we dispose of our smartphones. The main problem is that the lithium ion batteries which are used in most smartphones can be very dangerous if not disposed of properly. 

These batteries contain a chemical compound called cobalt oxide, which is highly flammable. When recycling a smartphone, it must be disassembled by hand and the lithium-ion battery must be removed because it poses a serious fire hazard. If left inside the phone during recycling, these batteries will explode into flames. 

A second issue with disposing of your smartphone is that data on your phone may still be accessible to people who steal or access your old device without permission. 

You should also remember to clear all personal data from your device before you recycle or give away an old phone as well as delete photos and messages stored on the device

The Dangers of Electronic Waste

The United States is experiencing an electronic waste epidemic. America produces about two million tons of electronic waste, or e-waste, each year. These are typically old smartphones, laptops, computers, and televisions that have been discarded by consumers. 

A number of these products contain hazardous materials like lead and mercury which can cause problems in the environment if they’re not disposed of properly. Roughly eighty percent of Americans don't recycle their electronics when they purchase a new one. 

A little over fifty percent of the world's e-waste comes from only six countries: China, Brazil, Nigeria, Japan, Italy and Mexico. Americans produce more than any other country but it's difficult to determine how much this country recycles because so much goes unreported (e-cycled). 

E-recycling creates toxic fumes that put people at risk for breathing problems such as asthma. What makes matters worse is that many e-waste disposal facilities often lack effective pollution controls. As a result, harmful substances end up in the air we breathe. 

When workers come into contact with dangerous substances on the job, their exposure may affect them throughout their lives. If you're concerned about your exposure to harmful chemicals and want to limit your children's contact with chemicals as well then consider recycling your electronics responsibly.

How to Recycle Your Smartphone

It's time to start recycling your old phone. You're probably asking yourself, how do I recycle my smartphone? The answer is simple. First, you'll need to find out if your local recycling center takes electronics like smartphones. 

Next, remove all personal information from the device before dropping it off. Finally, make sure you have a battery backup in case the recycling center doesn't take any power sources!

What Apple is Doing to Address the Issue

In a recent effort to reduce the number of Apple products that end up in landfills, Apple has announced they will start taking back old iPhones, iPads, iPods and Macs in every country where they sell devices. This is a step in the right direction as it addresses the issue of electronic waste by recycling old products. 

It also helps consumers because they can trade their old Apple products for new ones which is good for the environment. Apple has said this program will take place between now and September 30th, 2023. 

However, this doesn't address all of the issues when it comes to smart phone production. The lithium ion batteries used in many smartphones are not recyclable so once these phones are thrown out or traded in at an Apple store there are still environmental concerns.

What You Can Do to Help

We can all do our part to help the environment by recycling our old electronics. You can make a difference for future generations by getting in the habit of disposing of your devices responsibly. 

It’s important to remember that even though you may no longer need an electronic device, it still has value—from scrap metal to valuable recyclable materials like gold, silver, copper, palladium and platinum. 

By donating or recycling your electronics when they become obsolete or damaged, you are helping keep harmful substances out of landfills and out of our water supply.