Why reuse or recycle wireless phones?
Recent industry studies project that 500 million wireless phones could enter the waste stream by 2005. In general, a wireless phone handset consists of 40% metals, 40% plastics, and 20% ceramics and other trace metals. Wireless device chargers can be recycled to recover copper. Wireless handsets can be recycled to recover plastics. Circuit boards can be recycled to recover precious metals such as gold, silver and palladium and other materials such as copper, lead, and zinc. Accessory devices, including the headsets, power packs, and clips can also be recycled. Batteries can be recycled for their nickel, iron, cadmium, lead and cobalt. (Refer to Wireless: the New Recyclable for more specific FAQs and information on recycling of Wireless Devices.
