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Why Recycle My Cell Phone?
Cell phones in landfills can leach
toxics into the environment. |
The potential human health and environmental impacts
of cell phone waste is grim.
Cell phones are potentially hazardous waste because
they contain lead, mercury, cadmium and arsenic. If
thrown in the trash and sent to incinerators or landfills,
environmental contamination can occur from combustion
and leaching into soil and groundwater.
Sadly, in 2009, only 10% of old cell phones are being recycled today -- we are calling on the public to help raise the profile of this important issue!
Some alarming facts about cell phones you might not
know:
Photo: Chris Jordan |
There are approximately 100 million cell phones ready for end of life management, that equals
50,000 tons of waste containing toxic metals!
- Some of the metals used in cell phones are sourced from conflict ridden areas such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where profits fund a war characterized by rape, murder and slavery.
Learn more about how the Recycle My Cell Phone
campaign takes care of your phone:
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