China is both a major producer and consumer of mobile phones. The comprehensive utilization of old mobile phones is of great significance for resource conservation, environmental protection, and promoting green, low-carbon, and circular development. How to achieve standardized disposal, efficient recycling, and recycling of a large number of old mobile phones? The reporter conducted an interview on this. According to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics and the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology, the production of mobile phones in China reached 1.56 billion units in 2022, and the overall shipment volume of mobile phones in the domestic market reached 272 million units. On the contrary, there is a gradually increasing number of used mobile phones. Used mobile phones are one of the electronic waste that grows rapidly in terms of ownership and scrap, and is difficult to dispose of. The China Circular Economy Association estimates that over the past five years, China has generated an average of over 400 million discarded mobile phones annually. Meanwhile, a study by the association showed that about 54.2% of discarded mobile phones are left unused by consumers, and only about 5% can enter professional waste phone recycling platforms and new "trade in" recycling channels. How long can a mobile phone be used when its accessories contain over 60 elements and materials, with the coexistence of resource value and environmental risks? Generally speaking, the average lifespan of a mobile phone is 3 to 5 years. But for many users who pursue a "new" experience, the lifespan of their phones may end with the emergence of the next new product. The China Circular Economy Association estimates that the average lifespan of a mobile phone is currently around 2.2 years. When a mobile phone reaches its service life or cannot meet consumer needs, it will be eliminated and become a discarded phone. With the increasing emphasis on environmental protection and green low-carbon in society, the recycling and utilization of waste mobile phones has become an important issue in the field of circular economy. A mobile phone accessory contains over 60 elemental materials, including various precious and rare metals, as well as plastic materials that account for 40-50%, all of which can be recycled and reused. "Waste mobile phones can be considered a true 'urban mineral'," said Pan Yonggang, Vice President and Secretary General of the China Renewable Resources Recycling Association. "It is estimated that each ton of waste mobile phones can extract various resources such as about 200 grams of gold, 2200 grams of silver, 100 kilograms of copper, and renewable materials." However, waste mobile phones also contain various harmful substances. "If heavy metals such as mercury, lead, and cadmium in discarded mobile phones enter soil and groundwater and accumulate in the ecosystem, it can bring ecological and human health risks," said Liu Jianguo, a professor at the School of Environment at Tsinghua University and director of the Institute of Solid Waste Control and Resource Utilization. The business manager of OPPO Guangdong Mobile Communication Co., Ltd. explained that the materials used in mobile phones are mainly metal and polymer materials, and the composition before and after disposal is basically the same, making it difficult to decompose naturally. If not disposed of in a standardized manner, it will have a long-term impact on the environment. Liu Jianguo believes that overall, the resource value of discarded mobile phones coexists with environmental risks. After being standardized and modernized, good economic and environmental benefits can be achieved; But if not handled properly, it can lead to pollutant leakage and have negative impacts. New recycling models continue to emerge, with privacy breaches and information security constraints. Although recycling started relatively late, China's waste hands
Edit：Hou Wenzhe Responsible editor：WeiZe
Source：people.cn
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