Eliminating waste is a critical step in establishing a circular economy, and a key component in achieving this is mobile device management. Recent data shows mobile devices to be the most used technology globally, with 96.1 percent of the global population owning at least one mobile device and 95.8 percent owning smartphones. And every year, newer models are released, leaving millions of people to retire perfectly useful devices. The question is, what does one do with an old mobile device?
Electronics are classified as toxic waste and comprise 70 percent of the earth’s toxic waste. Because they are manufactured with precious metals that leak harmful chemicals into the soil, they cannot be thrown out with municipal waste to end up in landfills, not to mention the explosive lithium-ion batteries that could cause devastating chemical fires. Mobile devices alone contain over 20 materials, most of which are precious metals. Luckily, there are several ways you can repurpose your old mobile devices.
Reuse
This may not come as a surprise, but the first and easiest thing to do with an old mobile phone is to reuse it. If you are upgrading and the device still has useful life left, pass it on to someone who needs it—perhaps a family member or a younger sibling who wants to avoid paying for a new device. Learning has become increasingly digital, and many young people lack the proper learning tools. Passing your mobile device on to someone in need eliminates the device from the waste stream and provides a source of education for someone else.
Remarketing
New models of smartphones are manufactured every year, and prices are beginning to surpass the willingness of users to purchase new devices. According to IDC, smartphone shipments declined 8.7 percent year over year in the second quarter of 2022. Many people seek out used devices rather than purchasing new ones, and remarketing old mobile devices provides an alternative to new ones. This not only saves consumers time and money but also eliminates e-waste.
Recycling
Recycling retired mobile devices may not immediately come to mind for most users, most often because they are unsure how. The prospect of hunting down the right way to recycle deters many from even trying, but recycling doesn’t have to be complicated. Many recycling facilities have drop-off sites with mobile apps that help you locate them more efficiently. IT asset disposition facilities like HOBI collect old electronics and ensure they are disposed of properly. HOBI specifically offers repair, refurbishment, and remarketing opportunities for mobile devices and tablets.
Reusing, remarketing, and recycling your old mobile devices will help eliminate e-waste and, in the long run, prevent potential fires, help keep the environment clean, and bring the world closer to establishing a circular economy.
For more information about our ITAD services, call 817-814-2620 or contact HOBI at sales@hobi.com.