Have an old phone collecting dust in a drawer somewhere? It’s probably better off being recycled instead of staying in eternal storage.
With multiple new models being released throughout each year (looking at you, iPhone 15), the average lifespan of the smartphone has dipped drastically.
Increasingly, more Australians are choosing to swap out their old phones for shiny new versions sooner, resulting in a wave of unused old phones each time a new release is announced.
But what happens to these old phones, and how do we dispose of them?
As Sydney’s leading rubbish removal service, we’re here to tell you the best way to deal with your old phones.
Undoubtedly, the best way to get rid of an old phone is to recycle it.
Here’s why:
The electronic parts in smartphones contain precious materials such as lithium and gold that can be extracted during recycling and reused in the creation of other electronics.
Ironically, it’s often these same rare materials that have the potential to contaminate our environment when phones are simply dumped at landfills.
Speaking of contamination, this improper disposal of old phones contributes to the problem of e-waste or electronic waste.
E-waste is a bigger issue that involves all other types of electronics, such as TVs and computers. Of the whopping 511,000 tonnes of e-waste Australia generates each year, only 17% of it is properly recycled.
Smartphones are a sizeable part of the e-waste problem, so recycling them will aid local and global sustainability efforts.
If you’re ready to let go of your old phone, here’s an easy step-by-step guide to how to recycle it:
In the excitement of porting over to a new phone, many people forget that their old phones still retain heaps of personal data, from contact information to passwords and even credit card details.
Don’t forget to erase all traces of your personal information from your old phone before doing anything else.
An easy way to do this is to perform a factory reset – a function available on every phone that wipes it clean of all data and reverts settings back to when it first arrived in a box.
Once your old phone has been wiped clean, it’s time to find out where you can drop it off.
There are multiple recycling centres all over Australia, so it shouldn’t be too hard to find one that’s near you.
Some electronics stores also have take-back programs with drop-off points for old smartphones.
There’s no step 3 – that’s how easy it is to recycle your old phone!
If your old phone is no longer in working condition, the best way to dispose of it is to recycle it.
But if it still works, these alternatives are a good way to make use of your old phone’s value instead of keeping it unused:
Consider passing on your old phone to someone else who could use it.
Charity donation drives may accept used smartphones and pass them on to less fortunate individuals who may not be able to afford one.
Or, instead of buying your grandparents a new smartphone, give them your simpler, old phone. Newer phones tend to require more familiarity with digital interfaces, which may pose difficulties for older folks.
Some cell phone manufacturers or telcos offer trade-in promotions, offering discounts on newer smartphone models in exchange for your old phone.
It’s a great way to use the value of your old phone while disposing of it in a proper way, as old phones from trade-ins typically undergo recycling as well.
With everyone in the home having a personal phone, it’s pretty uncommon to see landline phones in modern homes. Still, if you have an old landline phone in your home that you need to dispose of, you’ll be glad to know that recycling it is an option as well.
Landline phones tend to be more bulky than their handheld smartphone counterparts and rely on wired connections to wall sockets, which complicates their disposal.
Before you disconnect your old landline phone, check to see if there is any saved contact information or messages. It’s always best to perform a data wipe with any electronic device.
Make sure to remove the batteries from the cordless headset (if there is one). These batteries may be rechargeable and should be recycled separately.
Similar to smartphones, landline phones can be dropped off at local recycling centres near you or at electronics retailers that have take-back programs.
Despite being easy to recycle, many smartphones are still being kept as ‘spare phones’ or left forgotten in storage.
Making a small effort to go through your drawers to find and recycle that old phone from 10 years ago can make a big impact on preserving our world’s finite resources.
Got a large collection of old phones that you’d like to recycle? Don’t hesitate to call on us, Ridly, your trusted rubbish removal partner! At Ridly, we understand the importance of responsible electronic waste disposal.
Our professional team specialises in the eco-friendly removal and recycling of old phones, including landline phones and smartphones.
By choosing Ridly, you’re not only decluttering your space but also contributing to a greener future. Wherever possible, we’ll ensure that your old phones are sustainably recycled instead of being dumped in landfills.
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