Old phone? Recycle it, don't dump it.
Hand old phones, chargers, batteries, and appliances to an authorised recycler - never dump or burn them. They hold both poisons and precious metals.
Your drawer of dead chargers is a tiny, toxic goldmine.
Here's the science
- What happensElectronics that are never safely collected and recycled
- HowMost e-waste is dumped or informally broken up rather than formally recycled, so its metals are lost and its toxins are freed
- SoGrowing mountains of e-waste, with only a small share handled safely
Strongest - many studies agreeGLOBALmeasured abroad - shown for the mechanism, not the Indian number
“In 2022, an estimated 62 million tonnes of e-waste were produced globally. Only 22.3% was documented as formally collected and recycled.”
A global WHO figure for 2022; most e-waste worldwide is still not safely recycled.
Source: Electronic waste (e-waste) - World Health Organization (WHO)(checked 2026-07-18)
- What happensInformal recycling, dumping, or open burning of electronics
- HowBreaking and burning devices releases lead, mercury, dioxins, and many other chemicals into air, soil, and water
- SoHarm to health, with children and pregnant women most at risk
How it works - the size isn't measured hereGLOBAL
“Lead is a common substance released into the environment when e-waste is recycled, stored or dumped using informal activities, including open burning.”
A qualitative hazard; WHO notes children and pregnant women are especially vulnerable.
Source: Electronic waste (e-waste) - World Health Organization (WHO)(checked 2026-07-18)
And when we do it
Proper recycling pulls out valuable metals and keeps lead, mercury, and other poisons out of the air, soil, and children's bodies.
You couldn't have known. Now you do.