Smartphones

Most people now have a mobile phone with the majority having a smartphone or tablet. Many children have access to a smartphone daily or have a tablet device of their own to help with school work and calls during Covid 19. Statista report that there will be 3.68 million users of smartphones in Ireland during 2021. Most internet users in Ireland use their smartphone access search engines, check their email, and visit social media sites weekly.

In 2019 Deloitte reported that 19 out of every 20 adults in Ireland owned a smartphone. The analysis noted that cross nearly all questions asked, females use their mobile phones more than males. Females used their phones for more purposes and usage of texting and video calling is well in excess of male usage. You can learn more at the Deloitte Global Mobile Consumer Survey 2019:

As we all use our phones more, we also replaced our phones regularly with ever-changing upgrades. Older models are safely stored with great intentions to reuse but rarely does reuse really happen? Is it time to clear out, make some space and get old phones reused or safely recycled?

If your considering reuse, your old phones might need a full reset and a software update. Make sure all your data has been wiped from the phone and all your personal accounts deactivated on the device.

The next question, what to do with the old phones or tablets?

Smartphone / Tablet Reuse

Offer your old or unused devices to a family member or friend. This saves clutter in your home or office and a family member or friend gets the benefit of a something they did not have before. It saves money, reduce the need for a new purchase and lessens environmental impacts.

Donate to an Irish Charity.

There are several charities that will accept smartphones as part of their fundraising campaigns. You are best searching the internet for a charity close to your heart and choosing that one as a beneficiary of your old smartphone.

Trade IT / Sell IT:

You may be finished with your smartphone, but chances are it still has more to give. If it is in good condition, it could go to a new owner. There are many choices including trade ins with your mobile phone company, tech stores, repair shops or advert websites. All these options offer reuse potential and can generate value in some form but be sure to delete all data from your phone before selling or trading and remember to get payment in advance of handover if selling!

Recycle IT

Whether you are an individual or an organisation you may have concerns about selling or offering your smartphones for reuse or resale. If this is the case, phones can be recycled safely – at a WEEE facility such a Recycle IT.

Please do not place the smartphones or tablets in the bin as components used to make the phones including metals, plastic, glass, and particularly lithium-ion batteries, should not be incinerated, or landfilled. It just bad for the environment and our health and wellbeing.

It is free to drop off smartphone, tablets, batteries cables and chargers to Recycle IT in Dublin. Some people post us old phones for safe recycling. If you have a lot of phoned in an office or business, we can arrange cost effective collections in Dublin and surrounding areas. Lastly they can be send via courier to our facility, just let us know in advance.

Recycle IT, is an award-winning social enterprise offering electrical, electronic, and metal recycling services through drop off and collection. Services are provided in partnership with WEEE Ireland and South Dublin County Council.

Recycle IT are supported by Pobal and Dormant Accounts and authorised by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authorities across Dublin, Kildare, and Wicklow.

For more information on Recycle IT please call 01 4578321, email info@recycleit.ie or visit our website www.recycleit.ie