Many people store their old cell phones at home in the drawer. It’s the same with me: I did not even waste a thought where to put it. Just into the drawer, and that was it! I wasn’t aware of the fact that environmentally suitable ways of disposing of old cell phones do exist. In addition, it is even possible to gain some money, or to make a small contribution to a good cause. I have just never cared about it. I am obviously not alone with that attitude: According to a study conducted by Nokia just 3% of all old cell phones are being recycled, and the market leader of the recycling sector Umicore estimates that it is just 1%. I wonder where all the cell phones go. After all, in 2007 1.2 billion ones were produced. According to a report of the US government, it is assumed that already in 2005 half a billion cell phones led a shadowy existence in the drawers of US citizens, and the rising trend continues. Why is that actually the case? What makes people keep tons of discarded cell phones? Is it the emotional relationship to that telecommunications device that has bestowed upon them so many romantic dates? Or is it just because cell phones do not bother anyone being stored in the drawer? Another possible reason is that many people just do not know where to dispose of it.

However, there are some good reasons to concern yourself with the topic cell phone recycling: Cell phones contain heavy metals, such as cadmium or lead which pollute the environment when not disposed of professionally. Therefore, it is not allowed to put electronic devices in domestic waste. In addition, cell phones contain precious raw materials, such as gold, platinum or copper. They contain just a small amount of these materials, but the recycling of half a billion cell phones would be worthwhile. Most importantly, the reuse of raw materials helps us to preserve our natural resources.

Once you have decided to take the cell phone out of the drawer in order to recycle it, there is the question where to go with your old mobile friend.

A good possibility is offered by T-Mobile in collaboration with the Deutsche Umwelthilfe e.V. (German Environmental Protection Organization). Envelopes can be ordered for free on the T-Mobile website, and postage as well is borne by them. In addition, they transfer 5 Euros per cell phone to the Deutsche Umwelthilfe in order to support environmental and nature conservancy projects.

Another possibility is offered by Vodafone. Envelopes can be ordered for free, too. 3.50 Euros are transferred to the Deutsche Kinderkrebsstiftung (German Child Cancer Foundation).

For the business-minded ones among us, Talkgreener.de has an interesting offer: Depending on cell phone model and functional ability, one receives a certain amount of money for old cell phones - even for broken ones. In addition, Talkgreener plants a tree for every cell phone sent in. Thus, environment as well as benefits from it.

Taking all the advantages into account, one wonders why our old cell phones are still in the drawer, and not on their way to T-Mobile, Vodafone or Talkgreener. Regarding the charitable potential of old cell phones, you shouldn’t vacillate too long and order the envelopes. I am already waiting for mine to arrive in order to have my share in environmental protection!