The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), an important environmental action organizations with over a million members, published an article on e-waste with tips for mobile phone owners concerned about the environment.

The NRDC points out that, because of our increased reliance on personal technology, such as laptops, cell phones, PDAs, computer monitors, and printers, we are putting vast quantities of garbage in landfills that could instead be reused or recycled. Americans throw away nearly 100 million cell phones per year. More than two million tons of tech trash ends up in landfills each year, and less than 400 thousand tons are recycled.

Some materials in electronics (such as lead, mercury and cadmium), are hazardous. According to the NRDC, throwing away metal components, like the copper, gold, silver and palladium in cell phones and other electronics, leads to needless mining for new metals.

The NRDC recommends:

• Finding an e-waste collection event in your town
• Sending used tech stuff back to the manufacturer
• Bringing electronics to a nearby retailer that recycles.

Learn about e-waste recycling organizations, manufacturer / retailer take-back programs, and how to sell or donate your mobile phone from their article entitled, "What to do about e-waste."

Related Links

Natural Resources Defense Council

Natural Resources Defense Council article: What to do about e-waste.

Donate to the Natural Resources Defense Council

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