If you are anything like me, you are the sad owner of a cell phone graveyard. A drawer filled with the technology I no longer use; ancient iPods, my first flip phone, and years of cracked iPhones. I’m not proud of this drawer, but honestly, I just don’t know what to do with it! Fixing them feels impossible, throwing them away seems wrong, so what are we to do?
Google.com
Old phones we kept
A Greener Future Beyond Recycling Cell Phones…
If you are in the U.S. or Canada you can check out Gazelle or Call 2 Recycle, the two resources they mentioned in the video. And if you live elsewhere, you can probably find a technology recycling solution by trying a quick Google search for e-waste recycling in your area.
We’ve talked about creative ways that people are re-purposing technology on Ever Widening Circles (EWC) before, and one of my favorite examples is the organization Rainforest Connection that uses old cell phones to help protect the rainforest. I have to admit, though, until I watched today’s video, I didn’t quite grasp the enormous impact our e-waste has on the environment.
As is so often the case, it’s easy to overlook the simple ways we can help to contribute to a brighter collective future. As consumers, though, we have the power to change the way companies operate. By remaining informed about the broader impact our buying choices have, we can help to support businesses that have a positive environmental and social impact.
Being informed also helps us reduce our waste overall! Simple things like repairing or buying our clothes second hand, recycling our plastics, or supporting green energy become second nature.
Most of all, we are fortunate enough live in an era where being a responsible steward of the planet can start with a simple Google search.
Stay beautiful & keep laughing!
