Green Daily

There are more than 3 billion cellphones in the world today, more than 1 for every 2 people. While cellphones are great for bringing people together and encouraging communication in parts of the world where it's difficult to install telephone wires, that's an awful lot of e-waste waiting to happen (or already happening). Most phones contain plastic, metals, and chemicals that can be recycled, but according to a survey from Nokia, very few people actually do recycle their cellphones.

How few? 3%. Now, there is good news. A lot of people are selling or giving away their old phones, which helps keep them out of landfills. In fact, only 4% are making their way into landfills. What's surprising is that nearly half of all old cellphones aren't going anywhere at all though. They're hanging out in a drawer because people are too lazy to throw them away, give them away, or recycle them.

The top reason people gave for not recycling their old phones is that they didn't know it was possible. But as much as 80% of the materials in some phones can be used to make other products. In the US, many electronics chains collect used cellphones at retail locations. You can also find a list of Nokia's collection points at the company's recycling page.

[via Environmental Leader]