What
happens to your phones?
When
phones are received the following steps are taken:
- The collection
is catalogued and IMEI and ESN identification numbers are recorded
- SIM cards
are checked, and we report back immediately if any are found to
be still 'live'.
- An inventory
and phone valuation document will be issued to the collectors
- Phones will
be recycled in accordance with current EU legislation.
Phones
are re-sold in the Developing World
Phones in good condition will be refurbished and sold on, usually
to people in the developing world. This helps to provide an affordable,
modern form of communication for many people to whom such products
have been previously unreachable. These phones help bridge the digital
divide, improving both quality of life and the local economy in the
area
Phones
are Recycled
Phones are firstly stripped to recover component parts which are then
re-marketed for spares. Units that have no re-marketable value and
also items from recovered units which cannot be re-used are then recycled
for their metals and plastics.
The content of mobile phones varies model to model, and as the technology
advances so we will see the changes in the composition. The data below
is published and represents a reasonable average:
(Weight Percent)
- ABS-PC 29%
- Ceramics
16%
- Cu and Compounds
15%
- Silicon
Plastics 10%
- Epoxy 9%
- Other Plastics
8%
- Iron 3%
- PPS 2%
- Flame retardant
1%
- Nickel and
Compounds 1%
- Zinc and
Compounds 1%
- Silver and
Compounds 1%
- A1, Sn Pb,
Au, Pd, Mn, etc less than 1%
Each
mobile phone has a number of compents that can be recycled from the
LCD, Batteries and Sim cards. Certain components can be reused in
electronic devices.
All batteries can be separated from the existing units and can either
be re-cooked or recycled for their useful metal content. Also precious
and semi- precious metals can be retrieved such as:
- Copper 1.6kg/metric
tonne
- Silver 1.15kg/metric
tonne
- Gold 0.20kg/metric
tonne
- Palladium
0.10kg/metric tonne
- Platinum
0.0019kg/metric tonne
The
plastic fascia and surround can be broken off and sent for 'granulation'
into tiny pieces, which can then be used to manufacture items such
as traffic cones.
So,
rest assured that your phone will be put to good use, whilst also
preserving the environment. A great combination!
