The Impact: Cell phones contain toxic metals such as nickel, lead, arsenic and zinc (among others). These metals do not degrade well and can have adverse effects on the environment. For example, arsenic, despite being found in the earth's crust can be lethal in it's inorganic form. Arsenic-contaminated environments are characterized by limited species abundance and diversity.
The Idea: Recycle your old phones. Cell phone recycling and wireless recycling programs keep valuable materials out of landfills, including an estimated $630,000 of precious metals from circuit boards, and enough copper from phone chargers to recover the Statue of Liberty, twice.
Use websites such as www.freecycle.org, www.wirelessrecycling.com and www.charitablerecycling.com to donate your used cell phone or start a donation program in your neighborhood. You can donate functional cell phones to nonprofit organizations, or (if you're from another country like I am), send them to lesser developed countries to help bridge the communication divide, or even donate the parts to make other products.
The Result: You reduce your carbon footprint, and you could potentially make a difference in someone's life.
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