CDs & Mobile Phone recycling

[Purple_Popple]

Companies such as Mazuma, Envirophone and now Music Magpie that pay for your unwanted phone and CDs etc, what happens to them once they have bought them off you for next to nothing ?

[SeaJayPea]

They sell the gold, platinum and other minerals they contain back to the manufacturers. There's a mineral called Coltan that is vital to the manufacture of phones and computers. It's only found in the likes of the DR of Congo, not the most stable of countries.

[saxy_jag]

Funny you should say that, SeaJay. I've just been watching 'Bang Goes The Theory' where they were attempting to extract gold from a few old mobile phones. They got about £50 worth of gold out of them.

[SeaJayPea]

Maybe so, but these guys are dealing with millions of phones. It must be worth their while, why else would they do it? I think it's the Coltan that's the most important thing they're after, though.

Cheers

[AlBags]

Some folk get over £100 for their old phone.

[Hopkirk]

I think the good quality ones go off to be used in less well developed countries

[espookid]

Just googled this
http://www.techradar....y-re-recycled--595647
Should answer the question