Early handheld cell phones allowed users to do two things: make calls and receive calls. Years later, cell phones offer unprecedented functionality. No wonder more than 32 million people in the United States used a cell phone last year, according to wireless association CTIA’s figures.
A: As with other electronic devices, mobile phones rely on a proprietary blend of precious metals, copper, glass, plastic and other materials to deliver the performance consumers expect. Extracting and processing these materials to manufacture cell phone components is energy-intensive and contributes to air and water pollution. But recycling recovers these materials so they can be used in new products. In fact, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that recycling 1 million mobile phones reclaims 35,274 pounds of copper, 772 pounds of silver, 75 pounds of gold and 33 pounds of palladium. Plus, recycling that same number of phones saves enough energy to power more than 185 U.S. households for a year.
A: Mobile phones allow instant and unlimited access to personal and business information. A recent Pew Research Center study revealed that 76 percent of adult cell phone users send or receive email on their phones, 37 percent check bank balances or engage in online banking and 84 percent conduct Internet searches. This data—emails, text messages, contact lists and bank account and credit card information—can lead to an increased risk of identity theft and consumer fraud if left intact on a discarded device. To reduce this risk, follow these steps prior to recycling a phone.
Delete stored information from the phone by performing a factory hard reset or use a data erasing tool available on the Web.
For more information, contact the service provider or cell phone manufacturer. When cell phones are sent to a certified recycler, such as Sims Recycling Solutions, special care is taken to ensure all data is destroyed.
A: An unwanted handset and accessories can be dropped off at a retailer, such as Best Buy, Office Depot or Staples, or at a Sims Recycling Solutions community electronics collection event for recycling, regardless of age or model. Another option is to return the phone to the manufacturer. To participate in a manufacturer’s take-back program, visit the company’s website to learn more about their recycling services.
Sims Recycling Solutions is a global leader in electronics reuse and recycling. We have experience in comprehensive IT asset disposition and mobile device refurbishment services. Sims provides disposition services for all types of retired electronic equipment to local, national & global customers in every business sector including data centers, healthcare, financial service and technical organizations.
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In a global economy, enterprises depend more and more on robust IT infrastructures. As an IT manager it is your goal to efficiently and effectively procure and maintain IT assets rather than deal with the complexities of disposition at the end of their useful life.
Sims Recycling Solutions (SRS) is hosting a live webinar discussing everything you need to know about dealing with retired IT assets.
For more information and to register for the webinar, visit the campaign website. This event will also be recorded and available for on-demand viewing for registrants, following the live feed.
Sean Magann has more than 15 years of experience related to the downstream processing and recovery/reuse of IT and electronic waste.
Magann has been an integral part of the executive team at SRS in providing insight on building the company’s worldwide IT asset disposition programs and offerings.
His previous experience in managing operations across Asia has been conducive in the development of a strategic and comprehensive global service offering. This service provides enterprise customers with certainty that all of their IT assets, on a global scale, will be securely and responsibly managed.