Used Cell Phone vs New Cell Phone
Do you remember the days before cell phones? When you could go out to dinner with a group and no one was buzzing or brnnnging constantly? Well, those days are gone. It’s understandable why we love cell phones so much, but those pre-mobile years weren’t just easier on the ears of movie audiences, they were easier on the planet. While we spend a lot of time thinking about upgrading our cell phones and finding the one that will do it all (take photos, receive e-mails, fold laundry), we often forget a big part of the equation. Cell phones are tiny environmental enemies—little clamshell carbon-culprits—full of un-renewable resources and toxic materials. With the rate we cycle through them (thanks to steady upgrade offers from providers) the old phones are really piling up—in landfills mostly. In this Face-off we compare a brand new phone from a cell-phone service provider against a previously owned phone to see which is really worth lending your ear to.
Sometimes the greener choice is simple. Other times, it might not work for you.
Used Cell Phone
New Cell Phone
Do the math
Fair condition LG Chocolate 3 in Black with no contract = $162.93
New LG Chocolate 3 in Black with no contract = $269.99
Pros
A savings of $107.06 and the fact that you’re extending the life of a product, thereby making the most of the materials used in its production and protecting the planet from the effects of pollutants and toxins.
People like owning something that’s brand new and we understand that. Taking it out of the package, preening over its shiny exterior, these are enjoyable things. So there’s the fun of a never-been-touched phone. Also, if you’re signing a contract the phone could be as cheap as $80.00, and there’s the security of the included warranty (usually one year).
Cons
Your cell phone may come with a few nicks and scratches, but who’s phone doesn’t look like that after a week anyway? You won’t have a warranty, but you will know that the phone has passed an inspection to ensure that it was up-to-quality. The cell phone selection may be a little more limited, but in most cases this will just mean waiting a little bit before the phone you’re a fan of pops up for sale.
We sometimes forget what goes into a piece of technology, what makes a phone ring and the camera feature click, but there’s a lot under that petroleum-derived plastic exterior: things that are mined (like copper and gold), things that are toxic (like lead and mercury) and things that we have nefarious addictions to (like crude oil). Because of the new shortened life of cell phones these materials don’t get much use before they find their way back to the earth via landfills; once they get there they can leach toxins and pollutants back into our soil and water. And cell phones aren’t easily recycled because of the range of components that goes into them (some of which are toxic enough to taint most of the materials around them).
The Big Picture
If we can get past our “want” and look more at our “need”, the world will quickly become a greener place. While it may be difficult for you to overlook your craving for that sleek in-box cell phone from the store, seriously consider the eco-impact you could avoid by purchasing a used phone. And if you find yourself looking for a new phone without upgrade or contract options, think about just how much money you can save. Whichever phone option wins for you, make sure you do the right thing with the phone you’re giving up. You can donate it to a charity that will give it to someone in need of a speed dial or find a recycling program in your area. And when you start searching for service consider a provider like Earth Tones, which features a range of wireless plans and donates 100% of its profits to environmental causes.
It’s nice to have a new cell phone, but everyone pays a price. You take the financial one (out of contract phones are undeniably pricey) and the earth takes the environmental one. With 426,000 cell phones decommissioned every day, we’re ripping through the raw materials that make up our mobiles at an alarming pace-one that only continues to rise as more people get cell phones.
Greenzer France 