AROUND 5.3billion smartphones will be thrown away this year, according to experts.
The WEEE says many are being left in draws, cupboards or simply junked with the rubbish, despite them having plenty of valuable components.
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Smartphones contain bits of gold, copper, silver, palladium, which are all easily recycled.
So if you’ve got an old device lying around, think twice before binning it, as there are several ways you can get a bit of money back from them.
“As a nation of hoarders, millions of tech-loving Brits will be adding to the growing problem of e-waste without realising it,” said Ernest Doku, telecoms expert at Uswitch.com.
“To help cut back on e-waste, consider doing an early spring clean and make sure unused tech is either reused, resold or disposed of sustainably.
“If changing your handset, consider picking a refurbished model.
This will save you money at the same time as reducing the e-waste produced from buying a new smartphone.”
Trade-in your smartphone
Many retailers and smartphone makers encourage you to trade-in your old smartphone and get some money off your new device.
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Apple gives between £30 and £625 credit towards a new iPhone purchase.
A basic iPhone 7 would get you £30 off.
Sell to a recycling site
There are loads of sites that will take your old phone off your hands for a few quid.
It’s a good idea to shop around to see what they will offer, as it can vary widely.
Here are some worth trying – they usually send you a bag or box to post off your phone for free.
Be sure to read all terms and conditions and instructions carefully.
Sell it yourself
If the phone still works, why not try selling it yourself?
You can do this for free on Facebook Marketplace.
And if the phone doesn’t work, some people will buy them for parts on Ebay.
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This post first appeared on Thesun.co.uk
