Cellular Phones & The Environment

Cell phones are used by approximately half of the U.S. population. As new, more sophisticated phones are introduced to the market, there is a growing need to address cellular phone recycling and reuse opportunities.

		Cellular Phone Education Learn about cellular phones and the importance of properly disposing of them.

		Cellular Phone Recycle & Reuse There are many ways to get rid of your old cell phone without sending it to the landfill. Find local cell phone recycling facilities and donation opportunities.

		Battery Recycling Don't send your batteries to the landfill. Batteries contain toxic heavy metals that poison the environment. Find battery recycling locations here.

		Helpful Links Find additional information about cellular phones, including statistics and international donation opportunities.

Our "plugged-in" world relies on an ever-growing and constantly changing supply of electronic products. Electronic equipment currently represents only 1 to 2 percent of the country's waste stream, but it is quickly growing. The rapid introduction of new electronic products shows no sign of abating, as better, smaller, and cheaper products replace "older" models. Electronic products also can contain a variety of toxic constituents. Cathode ray tubes, circuit boards, batteries, and other electronic components often contain hazardous constituents such as lead, mercury, and cadmium.

eWaste Recycling is a Growing Industry

Federal Electronic Waste Initiatives

This growing, changing product stream presents new challenges and responsibilities in designing and managing electronic products to reduce their life-cycle environmental impacts. By applying the principles of product stewardship, electronic equipment can be made with fewer toxic constituents and designed with upgradability, durability, and recyclability in mind, making these product systems more sustainable.