Calling All Cell Phones

Cell Phones are being recycled to better the planet.

Story and photos by Rian Hunt

Almost everyday in class I hear random ringtones interrupt the blabbering professor. Ringtones that range from the new Fall Out Boy song to various oldies like Brown Eyed Girl. Cell phones are definitely everywhere you go, but where do the old cell phones go when a bigger, better or even faster phone comes out that everyone must have?

In recent years, cell phones have piled up in our landfills, and in other countries. The discarded cell phones piling in the landfills are detrimental to human and environmental life. Recognizing the out-of-control cell phone disposal, the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has provided New York State residents with opportunities to recycle their old phones.

According to the DEC, over 200 million cell phones are currently in use across the country. Although there are 200 million in use, 30 million are unused and are going to be disposed in landfills.

"There are better options for these cell phones."

The massive number of cell phones in the city of Plattsburgh alone has tripled since 1985, according to Joanna Underwood, the founder of Inform Inc. They tell the public about recent health problems and pollutants. Also, they inform residents about what they can do to prevent and become more aware of problems.

"There are better options for these cell phones. Many cities have recycling bins where you can drop your phone off and in New York State any cell phone provider can take up to 10 cell phones from one person for recycling," Underwood said.

In Plattsburgh, the Kehoe building at Plattsburgh State University College, (PSUC), has a drop off box for unused cell phones.

Many cell phones can be recycled to local charities; such as, the Department of Behavioral Health and Stop Domestic Violence in Plattsburgh. Charities, like these, are donating used cell phones to victims so they will always have a way to contact someone in case of an emergency.

"Disposal of cell phones is very hazardous," said Shannon Crowly, a local employee of Verizon Wireless in the Champlain Centre. "Materials, like mercury, can cause life threatening damage."

According to Inform Inc.'s website, a number of toxic substances in cell phones have been related to cancer, neurological and developmental disorders. Manufacturers in Europe and Japan have already eliminated lead and brominated flame retardants from electronic products or have, at least, announced plans to do so. The mercury in cell phones can cause problems for women who are pregnant, or who want to become pregnant.

The entire cell phone is not able to be recycled, but most of the harmful chemicals are. It is hoped that as technology improves, so will recycling. Until then, when you hear those random ringtones around your city remember that it's just a matter of time before they recycle their phone and upgrade to a better song.

Do you have unused cell phones in your home?

According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation:

Wireless phones generally contain: 40% metals, 40% plastics, and 20% ceramics.

The following materials are typically found in cell phones:

•  Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) Polycarbonate (PC) - 20%

•  Copper (CU) - 19%

•  Silica, Soda, Lime (Glass) - 11%

•  Aluminum (Al) - 9%

•  Iron (Fe) - 8%

•  Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA) - 6%

•  Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) - 5%

•  Epoxy - 5%

•  Polycarbonate (PC) - 4%

•  Silicon (Si) - 4%

•  Polyoxymethelyne (POM) - 2%

•  Polystyrene (PS) - 2%

•  Tetrabromobisphenol-A (TBBA) - 2%

•  Nickel (Ni) - 1%

•  Tin (Sn) - 1%

•  Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP) - 1%

•  Gold, palladium and silver are represented in other metals as less than one percent

Places to recycle your phone:

Major cell phone distributors