Phones. Mobile Phones. I uses one so do you and the same for everyone or even have a second one compared to anyone of us. Funny how many of us changes phones throughout our life without having a second thought on what can we do with the-now-ex-phone. Those that are still usable, yes, sell it out for a lower price but what about those that are no longer functioning? Ever wonder?
Those mobile phones that are forgotten and not being disposed correctly might have not do just for the nature and in our view, most importantly the sea leading to the sea turtles. How? Let us first take a glance at the components that made our mobile phones and how this can lead to the path of extinction for sea turtles.
Printed Circuit Board (PCB)
The board is made of epoxy resin or fibreglass and generally coated
with gold plating.
Liquid Crystal display
The liquid crystalline substances can contain toxic substances such as mercury.
Battery
Rechargeable batteries belonging to mobile phones, toxic
components such as cadmium, nickel, zinc and copper can pose end of life hazards.
Plastic Casing
The plastic used to case the phone together is usually polycarbonate (PC),
acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), or a combination of the two.
Other components such as speakers, microphone and antenna etc.
These contain heavy metals and hazardous materials.
In the wild, sea turtles can live up to 40 or 60 years, but they face many dangers throughout their long life. By estimation, in a thousand only one will survive to adulthood and reproduce. They face many threats since their first sail from disease, sickness and predator and now from wrong management of disposing waste.
From the glance, all these toxic substances mentioned such as mercury, nickel and zinc can easily pose a serious issue of environmental problem. These waste that are disposed without consideration for the nature will decompose in the landfills into ground water, contaminating the soil and entering the food chain, like how it had left an impact on our treasure sea turtles.
Not only components of these mobile phones, an obvious explanation that shows the harmful effect on sea turtle is the plastic. This affects the sea turtles as they lack the ability to differentiate these waste from real food where they mistaken it as jellyfish. When they consumed these assumed 'jellyfish', it will ingested, blocking the turtle's intestinal tract and can cause the sea turtles to become entangled in dump and die.
This situation are similar to the component of phones that are not only ingesting but also poisonous to them.
We can see difference but sea turtles doesn't.
Even in small amounts, these hazardous chemicals can cause the environment, affecting waterways and wildlife. Nevertheless, a variety of serious health issues in humans if released into the environment.
Thus, with clear and great objectives, the campaign "Connect to Conserve" with our main partner, Nokia Sustainability Division (SEAP) would like to call out upon every earthling here, today and now to start great effort together for the future of sea turtles with beneficiary WWF-Malaysia.
And now, how can you prevent this tragedy from repeating itself again? Gather all the old phones from every corner of your house, under your bed, in your cupboard, from your shoe box, your garage, store room, corner of your house yard and every possible space that you have never take a look. Take a good look and see how your amazing old phone can save the sea turtles.
Even with the slightest wish in your heart, you along with your friends and family can make a difference today. There is never an end to stop saving and preserve the nature that lives closely with and within us.
A Phone Recycled, A Future for Turtle.
Last but not least, log on to our Facebook page to receive more info and insight as well as latest updates about our campaign as well! Cheers!
Signing off with love,
Lim Bowie
Finance Manager
Connect to Conserve
Advanced Diploma in Mass Communication (Public Relations) Year 1
School of Social Science & Humanities
Tunku Abdul Rahman University College
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