The Life Cycle of a Cell Phone
The Life Cycle of a Cell Phone The Life Cycle of a Cell Phone
M at e r ial s E x t r a ctio n M at e r ial s P r o c e ss i n g
Today, more than 1.2 billion cell phones are in use worldwide.
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ou have one, your parents have one, your friends each have one—owning a cell phone has become as common as having a traditional land-line in your home. More than 156 million Americans now use cell phones—including about 20 percent of American teens! In a way, cell phones have become a necessity of everyday life—we use them to call home when we're late, make plans with friends, or get directions when we're lost. But have you ever thought about how cell phones are made and what happens to them when you don't need them anymore Like any product, making a cell phone and its parts uses natural resources and energy, which can potentially impact the air, land, and water. Understanding the life cycle of a product can help you make environmental choices about the products you use, and how you dispose of them. You can help minimize your environmental impact of using a cell phone by:
±Keeping your phone longer. Choose your cell phone service provider carefully. Pick a phone with features you need and a style you like so you will keep it longer. ±Charging your battery correctly. Increase the life span of your phone and battery by following the manufacturer's directions for charging the battery. ±Reusing or recycling your phone. Find ways to reuse or recycle your phone and accessories when you're finished with them. Many companies recycle or reuse cell phones—visit the "Resources" section of this poster for a list of suggestions. Follow the life-cycle diagram to learn more about cell phones, their parts, and their potential impact on the environment...
Cell phone parts and the finished products need packaging and transportation to get from one place to another. Transportation by plane, truck, or rail all require the use of fossil fuels for energy, which can contribute to global climate change. While packaging protects products from damage, identifies contents, and provides information, excessive or decorative packaging can be wasteful. Packaging consumes valuable natural resources, In 1985, about 340,000 such as paper people used cell phones (from trees), plasin the United States; in tic (from crude oil 2003, more than 140 in the earth), alumillion people used minum (from ore), or cell phones. other materials, all of which use energy to produce and can result in waste. Some packaging, however, can be made from recycled materials.

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