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A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of California-Irvine estimates that more than 700 million cell phones have been discarded or are about to be disposed, with 130 million cell phones tossed during 2009 alone.
Researchers analyzed chemicals in simulated cell phones and discovered leachate -- the liquid that runs into the soil from cell phones in dumps and landfills. Lead in leachate was high enough to classify cell phones as hazardous waste under Federal regulations, the study found.
But tossing old electronics into your local dump isn't your only option. Now you can dispose of your ancient iPhone and laptop in an environmentally responsible way. And there's a perk: you can make some money.
Gazelle.com pays for these discarded toys. Their motto might be less than humble ("Gazelle wants to change the world one cell phone, one laptop, one iPod at a time") but their mission is sound: Gazelle provides "a practical, rewarding way for people to finally rid themselves of all those old cell phones, digital cameras, and gaming systems that they no longer use, but can't seem to find a way to let go of."
The old electronics Gazelle buys -- cellphones, laptops, gaming consoles, LCD monitors and more -- they either resell or recycle. They call it "Re-Commerce," but it's just plain E-brilliant.
Go to gazelle.com for more information.
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