by Lorena Avila Cantisani
Correspondent in Spain
soydeargentinacom@hotmail.com
Reuse is a key aspect of recycling. It contributes to saving the planet, and it is a way of taking care of it until it get its health back. That is why we do everything we can to promote this concept through my column in Guía Hueney.
Mobile phones are often used for about 18 months before they are replaced. Most of them are stored in drawers and closets. This pile of used phones could end up in the trash. In any European country this can represent hundreds of millions of mobile phones in landfills. They contain many toxic substances, including brominated compounds that can be released into the air and leach into groundwater when burned in incinerators. Separating toxic materials in these products and discarding them as hazardous waste is very expensive.
Phones are complex devices that include a printed circuit board (PCB), liquid crystal display (LCD), keypad, antenna, speaker, microphone and drums. The PCB and LCD together account for 98% of the environmental impact during production and recycling. These components contain chemicals that are persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic. PBTs have been associated to cancer and other reproductive and neurological disorders associated to the development process. It is important to note that 90% of the components of a mobile phone are reusable. 58% of the unit is 17% plastic and glass. A fourth part of the components correspond to different metals, all recoverable, such as iron, copper, silver and even gold and coltan, a very valuable metal contained in small amounts in all electronic devices which allows an extended use of batteries. Besides, many batteries contain cadmium or lead; both materials have been classified as the two most dangerous substances by the Environmental Protection Agency of the United States.
Can mobiles phones be reused?
Many of them can be reused. When you recycle your mobile phone for the first time, you provide a communication tool accessible to families and people in developing countries, improving their local economy, quality of life and personal safety. Phones that cannot be reused are recycled to extract their components. This is an action aimed at saving energy, which in turn, reduces the production of greenhouse gases.
Where do old mobile phones end up in Spain?
The vast majority of phones are discarded in Tragamóvil, a nonprofit foundation in charge of waste management and recycling. In 2004, the Red Cross, Entreculturas and Alboan launched a recycling campaign that remains active because of its success. The Red Cross uses the funds for environmental programs and activities, while Entreculturas supports its partners in Latin America and Africa "to ensure quality education" among those who have less in life”.
Corporate Social Responsibility
There are some companies with a strong ethical commitment, and a balance among economic, environmental and social aspects towards their customers and partners. There are permits and procedures for the recycling of phones, as well as current legislation governing the cycle of electrical waste in the environment. This legislation includes the WEEE Directive (Directive of the European Parliament and Council on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment). There are also ISO 14001, and ISO 9001. Companies or entities must have a permit for waste management. The right thing is being part of the European Union Emissions Trading System. There is a European Union Law on Renewable Energy.
In Argentina there are 32 million mobile phones - a phone per person over 5 years old. Only a third part of them will be recovered for reuse, which means that a large amount of phones will be set aside unused. In Argentina, there are some environmental acts and regulations, such as National Act No. 24051/94 of Hazardous Waste; there is currently no collection policies aimed at recycling electronic waste, and few companies have the responsibility to comply with environmental standards. Greenpeace Argentina is struggling to make the Congress pass an Electronic Waste Act.
The truth is that technological advances and trends make phones become obsolete in no time.
We must begin to question and require companies that make and sell mobile phone to act in order to protect our environment.
