Dusty Devices

August 27, 2008

A rattling post by FierceWireless.com reported that only 3% of people, surveyed globally by Nokia, recycled their mobile phones. The numbers work out like this: 4% toss them in the landfill (Gasp!); the majority, 44%, just keep them hanging around the house; 16% pass them to friends or family (could be considered recycling); and the remaining 16% sell them.

Okay, those numbers only add up to 83%. We’re not sure what happens to the other 17%, but you can be sure they’re not recycled. Nearly 1/2 of Nokia’s 6,500 respondents from 13 countries didn’t even know recycling mobile phones was possible.

An answer to improving consumer participation in cell phone recycling programs may be in promoting the “7 Benefits of Recycling” outlined by Pace Butler Corporation.

(1) There’s money in recycling! Cell phone recycling has become a great fundraiser for non-profits but the average consumer can take advantage too. Pace Butler pays up to $50 per phone!

(2) Conservation. Landfill experts battle daily to contain the avalanche of garbage we consumers produce.

(3) Energy Efficiency. 20 aluminum cans can be created using the same energy to make on new can.

(4) Community Building. Recycling programs and organizations are a great place to meet new friends.

(5) Jobs. Recyling 10,000 tons of waste creates 36 jobs; landfilling only 6 jobs; incinerating only one.

(6) Stronger Economy. On a nationwide scale, recycling has a huge impact including job creation and energy and resouce conservation.

(7) Be Earth Friendly. No one wants dangerous chemicals in our water or toxic emissions in our air.

Recycling isn’t just for tree-huggers anymore. There’s gold in them-thar’ hills…of trash!

Posted By Russ · In Industry 

Got something to say?