Student’s Corner

It’s the last quarter of the year so that means only one thing: the iPhone 6 is released and ready for purchase.

Like its predecessors, the sales for the new iPhones (yes, two new models) are racking up like wildfire as many enthusiasts are dropping their old mobile devices for a shinier, faster, and more glamorous piece of technological finesse. In the midst of this frenzy however, one is left to wonder what happens to outdated devices now that they’re no longer the hottest things on the market.

Research has shown that Americans throw away an average of 130 million phones per year, with only the unfortunate number of 14-17% of the unwanted phone population being recycled. While those with a relatively young smartphone can take advantage of the buyback programs offered at all four of the major US carriers (Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile, and AT&T), owners upgrading from “dumb phones” are essentially stuck with something of no monetary value.

This, however, by no means implies that they are worthless.

When “recycling” is paired up with “phone”, the first thought is to donate the used phone to others. Indeed, there are programs that distribute used phones to soldiers and victims of domestic abuse but there are also programs, as the word would suggest, recycle parts of the phone that are valuable. According to the EPA, “For every million cell phones we recycle, 35 thousand pounds of copper, 772 pounds of silver, 75 pounds of gold, and 33 pounds of palladium can be recovered.” This is equates to less mining, less use of new resources, and a decrease in new environmental damages.

The EPA search engine is an excellent resource in pinpointing recycling facilities for mobile phones nearby and be sure to make use of the CTIA’s step-by-step guide to protect your personal information from unwanted snooping eyes before you drop your phone off for recycling. For those with more than one electronic device to recycle, take advantage of the annual E-cycle Day event held at the University of Rochester’s Park Lot to get rid of not only your phones, but also computers, printers, televisions, and much more.

So the next time you upgrade your phone, remember the valuable things within that now deemed useless device and recycle it! While our actions individually seem insignificant, together, the smallest amount from everyone can do wonders for the health of our environment.

Written by Linda Shackles, class of 2017