Typically, we upgrade our mobile phones every two to three years, often well before our current smartphone shows signs of wear and tear. What you might not realize, however, is that your mobile device holds more value than meets the eye, as it contains a treasure trove of rare metals. Various organizations and companies are dedicated to collecting old phones to recycle them, providing a second life to the rare metals within these devices.
Inside your mobile phone lies a variety of rare metals, although in relatively small quantities given the device’s compact size. Nonetheless, when thousands of phones are collected and processed together, significant amounts of these rare metals can be extracted. These metals may not be common knowledge unless you’re an expert in the field, but their extraction and commercialization have become pivotal for various technologies, including medical biotechnology, nanoelectronics, and more. Some of these companies might even compensate you for your old devices.
Steven Art, a manager at the Umicore plant in Hoboken, Belgium, pointed out in an interview with El País that, for every ton of material extracted from a gold mine, only about 5 grams of the precious metal are obtained. Conversely, from every ton of electronic computer cards, approximately 150 grams of valuable metals can be reclaimed. Beyond gold, other recoverable metals include platinum, indium, cobalt, and more. While some of these metals may sound familiar, there are others that are less common, such as antimony, niobium, tantalum, and the “rare earth” metals like samarium, gadolinium, erbium, thulium, and other lanthanides, which are even less frequently encountered but equally important in various industries.
The Array of Metals Inside Your Device
A mobile device contains an array of rare metals dispersed throughout its various components, each serving specific functions. Let’s delve into what metals you can find in different parts of your device, even though it’s a compact gadget packed with various metals.
On the Screen
Your smartphone screen harbors an assortment of metals, including Indium, Silicon, Lanthanum, Terbium, Praseodymium, Europium, Dysprosium, and Gadolinium. Some of these belong to a group of 17 chemical elements known as rare earths, which are crucial for ensuring proper screen illumination and sound playback. Rare earths include lanthanum, cerium, neodymium, praseodymium, promethium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, ytterbium, lutetium, thulium, yttrium, and scandium. These elements may not be household names, but they play vital roles in your mobile device.
Additionally, mercury is another essential metal found on the screen, responsible for accurate color reproduction. Mercury, although valuable, poses recycling challenges, which led to the discontinuation of mercury-filled thermometers.
Batteries
Mobile phone batteries, as commonly known, are predominantly composed of lithium, often combined with cobalt, carbon, aluminum, or oxygen. High concentrations of lithium hydroxide can be corrosive. Researchers are also exploring the use of graphene as a potential alternative, although it’s a more expensive material. Cobalt, alongside lithium, is crucial in battery production. Cobalt, however, has faced controversy due to reported hazardous working conditions in cobalt mines in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which supply the metal.
Outer Casing
The outer casing of mobile phones comprises nickel for coating buttons and surfaces. Some mobile phones and tablets utilize aluminum, while others opt for plastic, the latter being more common in budget-friendly devices.
Internal Components
Inside your mobile device or tablet, you’ll discover a range of circuits, some gold-plated and others relying on tin for soldering. Gold and tin have faced scrutiny as “blood minerals” associated with unethical mining practices. Coltan, found inside devices, is employed to create capacitors, while silicon contributes to memory and internet connectivity. Additionally, conductive materials like platinum and palladium assist in forming electrical circuits, though their extraction can be detrimental to the environment. Arsenic, although notorious as a poison, is used within mobile devices for electromagnetic signals. Copper is another common metal within mobile phones, serving as a vital electrical conductor.
The microphone and speaker components feature metals such as iron, boron, neodymium, praseodymium, and dysprosium, some of which fall under the category of rare earths. Lastly, tungsten is employed for creating the vibration effect when notifications arrive.
How to Responsibly Recycle Your Mobile Devices
Many of the rare metals found in electronic devices can be harmful pollutants. Moreover, the United Nations reports a staggering 50 million tons of electronic waste generated annually, much of which can be repurposed with proper treatment. So, if you’re considering disposing of a mobile phone or tablet, it’s crucial to recycle it rather than simply abandoning it. The Ecoembes association emphasizes that mobile device materials are recyclable and should be taken to designated recycling centers or specialized stores, rather than being discarded in regular yellow, green, or gray organic waste bins.
At these clean points, materials are carefully separated using processes involving heat and magnets, classifying them based on their properties for potential reuse. This practice not only prevents environmental damage but also reduces the problems associated with the extraction of scarce metals.
Clean Points
Clean points come in various forms, including fixed clean points, mini clean points, neighborhood points, and mobile clean points. The OCU (Organization of Consumers and Users) offers a Clean Points Finder search engine for those residing in Spain. Simply visit the Clean Points Finder website, select your province and town, and the results will display on a map. Clicking on a result provides details such as phone numbers, addresses, operating hours, and the types of products accepted.
Solidarity Recycling
Another commendable option is engaging in solidarity recycling. Numerous NGOs run mobile recycling programs, and the funds generated from reselling these devices contribute to their philanthropic efforts. One such example is Oxfam Intermon in partnership with Movilbank. This company assesses devices to determine if they can be refurbished or need permanent recycling. Depending on the inspection results, some devices are resold, with the proceeds benefiting vulnerable communities.
Earn Money
Alternatively, you can explore websites that offer monetary compensation for your old mobile phones. Platforms like Zonzoo evaluate your device, arrange for pickup, and pay you within a maximum of 48 hours, as advertised. You also have the option to sell your device on platforms like eBay or Wallapop, where you can set your price. However, it’s advisable to price your device competitively to ensure a prompt sale, as overly optimistic pricing may leave your device listed for weeks or even months. Regardless of the method you choose, don’t forget to reset your device to factory settings to erase any personal data before disposal.