After collecting over 1 million mobile phones, Green Group, a company specialized in managing and recycling various types of waste, has recovered 34 kg of gold, 350 kg of silver, and 15 kg of palladium, materials that can be reused in the composition of other electronic or industrial products.
In general, Romanians are tempted to keep old, defective mobile phones but also to improperly dispose of small devices like these in the trash.
"Consumer behavior regarding the purchase of new electrical equipment varies from country to country, but there is generally a growing trend fueled by the rapid advancement of technology and the frequent release of new models.
Electronic products have variable lifespans depending on their type and quality. For example, mobile phones are replaced at short intervals, whereas large appliances have a longer lifespan.
Some consumers may replace products immediately after the warranty expires, either to take advantage of newer technologies or because the current product has gone out of fashion.
The paradox in Romania is that we are tempted either to keep our old phones when we replace them or to throw away small appliances, which affects both the quantity of collected equipment and the environment.
We encourage consumers to recycle responsibly, to use separate collection points rather than household waste bins," Mihaela Sofronea, PR manager of Green Group, conveyed."
Following the collection of over 1 million mobile phones, the operator has successfully recovered valuable components that can be reused in future electronic and electrical appliances.
"The age and level of wear of the collected mobile phones can be critical factors in the recycling process. Older phones may contain outdated technologies and materials that are harder to recycle, and the level of wear can influence the quality of the components.
An important aspect of mobile phone recycling is the treatment of lithium-ion batteries. Batteries have the potential to be environmentally hazardous and must be disposed of properly to prevent pollution. The recycling process of lithium-ion batteries is complex; the batteries are encapsulated and must be carefully extracted from each mobile phone.
However, in the recycling process, efforts are made to recover as many components as possible. Precious metals such as gold, silver, and copper are found in their composition. These can be recovered and reused in other electronic or industrial products.
Since the beginning of our activity, we have recycled over 1 million mobile phones, which means recovering over 34 kg of gold, 350 kilograms of silver, and 15 kilograms of palladium," added Mihaela Sofronea.
To protect the environment and resources, consumers are encouraged to separate waste so that through advanced technologies, as many components and materials as possible can be recycled for reintroduction as secondary raw materials in various industries.