Why you should recycle your mobile phone
Just as recycling things like paper, plastic and aluminium is important, it is also important to recycle your mobile phone when you are no longer using it.
There are many reasons why you should recycle your mobile phone:
To protect the environment
If mobile phones end up in landfill there is the risk that the harmful substances inside them may leach into the surrounding land and waterways. Recycling mobile phones helps cut down on greenhouse gas emissions and build up of hazardous materials .
Safe disposal of lithium ion batteries
Mobile phones contain lithium ion batteries and these can cause fires when they end up in landfill. By recycling your mobile phone you will ensure that these batteries are disposed of safely.
To extend the life of the mobile phone
If your mobile phone still works and is in good condition, it can be refurbished and on-sold to extend the life of the phone. This reduces the demand for new handsets and the associated environmental impact of manufacturing them.
To create a circular economy
Mobile phones contain precious metals such as silver and gold, and other valuable resources. Recycling your mobile phone means that these resources can be extracted from your phone and reused again.
Raise money for Sustainable Coastlines
For every phone recycled with RE:MOBILE money is donated to multi-award winning New Zealand charity Sustainable Coastlines. Focused on protecting the moana we all love by bringing people together to reduce plastic pollution and other litter, Sustainable Coastlines volunteers have removed over 1.7 million litres of litter nationwide, with a future goal to see 60% less litter on the coastlines of Aotearoa by 2030!