What Happens When You Recycle Old Mobile Phones?

Around 14 million mobile phones are discarded every year in the UK, and as new models continue to be released that number is sure to grow, so what should you do when you have an old mobile phone to get rid of?

First of all you need to understand what's inside your phone and the risks of not disposing of it correctly. The circuit boards in old phones can contain arsenic in the chips and bromine based fire retardants, these chemicals are extremely toxic. The screens on older phones often contain mercury, and the plastic casing can contain the same fire retardants as the circuit boards. The most hazardous part is usually the battery, depending on the model it will either be a Nickel-Cadmium or Lithium Ion battery. Cadmium is a highly toxic heavy metal, it is especially harmful to marine life and is bio cumulative, which means it builds up in the food chain and can go on causing harm to the environment for many years.


Lithium is a very reactive alkali metal - remember putting sodium in water at school? If it's not disposed of properly it can form corrosive substances like lithium hydroxide that is once again poisonous to marine life. Lithium can also cause fires at landfill sites which are extremely hard to put out and release chemicals from all the other waste as it burns.

So it's clear that you need to recycle old mobile phones carefully, well the good news is that there is legislation to make sure recycling companies take all the necessary precautions. The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment - WEEE - legislation is there to make sure none of the chemicals in mobile phones end up in the environment.

The other good news is that some of the other substances in phones are valuable, many phones contain silver and gold in the circuity so there are several mobile phone recycling companies with websites where you can recycle old mobiles. Most of these companies will give you a price instantly on their websites and send you a freepost bag for your old mobile phone. What you will get paid depends on the model, but it can be over 200.

When you recycle old mobile phones they will either be stripped down for parts and materials or they may be reconditioned and sold on giving them a whole new lease of life.

Many old mobiles are sent to developing countries, this might seem odd but in many places it is cheaper to install mobile networks than landlines. Your old phone could give someone in a developing country access to communication that they might not have otherwise had.

You can also donate your phone to charity, many of the larger charities will accept old phones at their shops or by post, and if your chosen charity doesn't you can always sell your phone online and donate the money.

If you sell your phone to a specialist company, look for the WEEE logo on their website to make sure they are properly licensed and regulated, that way you can be sure your phone is going to be recycled safely and in line with the regulations.