This is why it is dangerous to keep an old cell phone in the house

Mobile phones And Smartphones old abandoned in drawers and hidden are layers and layers of dust.

This happens because more and more people don’t change their smartphone not because it is permanently broken, but because the model is obsolete or because the performance and speed of their device are no longer what they used to be; so this is what is preferred keep your cell phone in case the new one needs to go in for service or suddenly breaks.

And if this type of reasoning is still understandable, a portion of the population decides to keep even cell phones that no longer work in drawers. Yet, whatever the reason that drives people to keep old smartphones, no one worries about possible “side effects”.

In fact, as experts point out, keeping old cell phones at home could prove to be quite dangerous, but why? Let’s try to find out what the damage caused by old smartphones and how to dispose of them correctly.

Why it is dangerous to keep an old cell phone at home

As repeatedly repeated by experts, cell phones and smartphones are electronic waste and as such contain substances which, if they do not cause problems during normal use, can be harmful to the environment if stored incorrectly or if they end up in municipal waste.

For example, one obsolete battery it may begin to leak and release hazardous substances into the environment. Highly flammable substances, which could cause a fire in the event of a short circuit.

The same problem could arise if smartphones ended up in unsorted waste. In fact, the mobile phone is made up of various components and metals, including gold, and some of them could be dangerous if dispersed into the environment. For this reason, to avoid inhalation or contact with dangerous substances, it is best for owners to find the time and desire to properly dispose of their smartphone.

How to properly dispose of an old cell phone

Recycle your cell phone It’s the best decision you can make.

In fact, you could decide to donate your smartphone to relatives or people who need it, or find a new use for that slightly obsolete but functional cell phone. If, however, you decide to throw away your cell phone, it is best for the owner to dispose of it correctly, reducing waste, protecting the environment and public health.

First of all, we always recommend that every consumer “responsibly dispose of” that also protects their own privacy. In fact, we recommend cancel always every information linked to one’s identity: passwords, photos, numbers, messages and sensitive data are among the most vulnerable and intimate elements of every person. Better to take a few minutes and proceed with the factory data reset on your old phone.

There are also several methods to properly recycle your old phone. Since they are electronic waste, cell phones must be disposed of in ecological islands and in the appropriate centers WEEE present in the various Italian municipalities. To find out the collection center or waste collection center closest to your home, simply consult the website of your municipality of residence.

Furthermore, not many people know that i phone shops present in the area are legally obliged to collect old unused devices when purchasing a new telephone. Again, i superstore with more than 400 square meters, they even have the burden of collecting devices smaller than 25 centimeters, without necessarily purchasing a new device.

Finally, there is one last way to dispose of your cell phone, even i online sales sites they have the obligation to collect the old smartphone when purchasing a new one. While ordering, sites should present as an option “WEEE collection” to allow the customer to return the old mobile phone when the new one is delivered. And in the event that this option is not present, it is the consumer’s right to contact assistance to assert their right.

In short, there is no shortage of options, so it is best not to let yourself be overcome by laziness, with the risk of keeping old phones with the risks already seen. Each of the ways listed above is valid for protecting yourself and the environment through correct and safe disposal of old smartphones.