CompareMyMobile Reveal Research for World Water Day, Showing That the Number of Unused UK Phones Could Pollute Over 3 Trillion Litres of Water
Bournemouth, Dorset (PRWEB UK) 21 March 2014 -- Key information:
- One mobile phone cadmium battery is enough to pollute around 60,000 litres of water
- There are estimated to be over 52 million unused phones in the UK
- There are enough unused phones in the UK to pollute over 3 trillion litres of water, the equivalent of 1,258,508 Olympic-sized swimming pools
- 36.69 percent of people surveyed have two or more unused phones in their home
Results from a survey of one thousand people, conducted by CompareMyMobile, show that there are an estimated 52.4 million unused phones in the UK – enough to potentially pollute over 3.42 trillion litres of water.
The survey shows that UK households hold an average of 1.98 unused mobile phones. 39.69 percent of people surveyed have two or more unused devices, while 18 percent have four of more.
CompareMyMobile says that the shocking statistics show quite how many mobile phones, in the UK, are not being recycled in the appropriate way.
Research from BidGrid last year suggests that only 4 percent of people recycle their phones, with up to 16 percent throwing their old devices in the bin – CompareMyMobile feel it is key to raise awareness on how bad this could be for the environment.
The attached infographic shows how just one Cadmium mobile phone battery is enough to pollute 60,000 litres of water. So the estimated 52.4 million unused phones in the UK have the potential to pollute over 3.42 trillion litres – that’s 1.25 million Olympic-sized swimming pools worth of water. Research shows that Cadmium is a proven carcinogen – acute exposure to the chemical is also linked with kidney and lung problems.
CompareMyMobile believes that more awareness needs to be raised of the potentially toxic implications of not recycling an old mobile phone in the appropriate way.
Co-founder of the site, Ashley Turner, says: “Many handsets going through our site are either reused, or head off to recyclers where they undergo treatment in specialised and environmentally sound recycling processes. This helps to reduce the damage batteries and other parts of these devices do to the earth in landfill. To date CompareMyMobile.com has quoted 54 GBP Million worth of handsets for consumers in the UK.”
Notes for the editor
CompareMyMobile’s infographic can be found as an attached document. A previous infographic, showing the toxic implications of materials used in mobile phones is also attached. Follow the site’s press RSS feed, visit the press page on the website or get in touch with our main press contact, Ashley Turner, for more information.
About CompareMyMobile
Founded in 2009, CompareMyMobile is the UK's #1 source for independent mobile phone, tablet, sat nav, laptop, iPad, iPod and games console recycling price comparison. It delivers customers confidence in making the difficult decision of where to recycle their old phone safely and for the most money. CompareMyMobile is 100% impartial, comparing prices from more than 40 recycling stores.
Media Contacts
Ashley Turner
CompareMyMobile.com,
Tel: +44 (0) 7590 116 943
Email: ashley(at)CompareMyMobile(dot)com
Ashley Turner, Townside, http://www.comparemymobile.com/, +44 845 177 1991, [email protected]
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