There was a time, long ago that mobile phones were simple inanimate objects that performed a somewhat necessary function. With the advances made in technology over recent years, mobile phones have become much more than cold, inanimate objects - they are now part of the family. People still use phones to make and receive calls but also to connect to the internet and to store vital information such as phone numbers, daily reminders, calendars, photos, and music. Therefore, mobile phones tend to last longer than most marriages. Many people simply can’t seem to part with them.
A recent survey by phone recycling company Mopay has shown that approximately 54 per cent of 18 to 24 year olds currently hold onto at least one spare mobile phone; 28 per cent reported that they have two or more old phones just lying around the house. In fact, most old phones end up in a bedroom drawer.
The reasons given for the hoarding tend to fall into one of three categories. 1. People don’t want to get rid of the old phone in case their current phone goes on the fritz. 2. The majority of the people surveyed stated that they don’t want to get rid of their old phones because there is too much personal content stored on the device’s memory. 3. Lastly, many people are simply unaware that mobile phones can be recycled or that many companies are willing to pay for recyclable phones.
The survey, part of the Mobile Recycling Attitudes 2007 report, also showed that if unused handsets in the UK were recycled, the net total would equal approximately £386 million.
|
|
