Recycle Batteries from Cell Phones

For the most part, people don't recycle batteries from cell phones, but the entire cell phone itself, but the percentage who recycle their phone at all is small. This may not seem like a big thing, but in a study performed by the environmental nonprofit INFORM, Inc., statistics from 2005 showed that approximately 200 million cell phones were in use, and that roughly 130 million of them would be "retired" each year.

Only ten percent of Americans recycle their cell phone battery.

With this many cell phones being disposed of every year, the importance of recycling is paramount in order to reduce the risk that the hazardous substances found in your phone may leach into the earth, or your drinking water when they are added to the trash at the landfill. Incinerating is not a better option, because the hazardous pollutants will become air born.

When the time comes for you to recycle batteries from cell phones, it is important to know what type of battery your phone contains because some states ban certain kinds of batteries from being thrown in the trash. We'll take a closer look at the laws regarding the disposal of your cell phone and battery, but first familiarize yourself with they four types of rechargeable batteries used in cell phones:

• Lithium Polymer (Li-Poly) Batteries – Most advanced battery used in cell phones. They provide 40 percent more capacity than a NiMH of comparable size but are still not widely used.
• Lithium Ion (Li-Ion) Batteries – Most popular battery in today's more expensive cell phones. They enjoy a longer life than NiCd batteries.
• Nickel Cadmium (NiCd) Batteries – While these batteries are older technology, they are also the battery most people are familiar with. These batteries are environmentally unfriendly, and disposing of them has become an increasing problem.
• Nickel Metal Hydrid (NiMH) Batteries – Manufacturers of these batteries state that they are better for the environment than the NiCd batteries because they don't contain cadmium. These environmentally-friendly batteries are constructed from non-toxic materials.

Once you know what type of cell phone battery you own, the easier it will be to learn how to dispose of it. Some states ban phone owners from disposing of their nickel cadmium phone batteries in the trash. If you live in one of these states you MUST recycle either through the phone's manufacturer, distributor or one of the recycling collection programs that provide this service.

• Florida
• Iowa
• Main
• Maryland
• Minnesota
• New Jersey
• Rhode Island
• Vermont

California and the City of New York have bans in effect that cover all kinds of rechargeable batteries including the four types of cell phone batteries. In these cases, when you buy your phone, the law requires the retailer to provide collection of the battery to be recycled and the service is free.

A small handful of states actually have specific laws in place regarding the disposal of cell phones. Due to this, the retailers who sell the phones in the first place are required to have a system set up to collect your used cell phone. The states with laws such as this in place include:

• California
• Maine
• New York

According to research done by NOP World, over 56 percent of Americans store their old cell phones and more than 70 percent don't even know that a cell phone can be recycled. That doesn't have to be the case. There are easy ways to find a recycling program near you that is equipped to collect and recycle your cell phone battery. Here are a few options:

• Call 2 Recycle – This website makes it as easy as entering your zip code or postal code to locate the recycling service nearest you..
• Environment, Health and Safety Online – Provides a Battery Disposal Guide.
• The United States Environmental Protection Agency

Don't throw your old phone in the trash or stash it away amid drawers of junk to be discarded later. Only ten percent of people recycle their cell phones and batteries. Take a moment to find out where you can recycle your old phone today. It can make a difference for the future by recycling.

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