Phones are what any American would consider a typical everyday item. It's something we use without hesitation. However, when these devices are used by millions of people every day, the problem of how to properly dispose of them begins to arise. Phones, due to the lithium contained in the batteries, if not properly disposed of, are harmful to our environment and can even explode. This may be overlooked by many, as there are now many ways to properly dispose of smartphones. Ways to properly dispose of smartphones include exchanging them at selected stores, reselling them for cash, and even just repairing them yourself. As we observed in Vox's video titled "Why Your Old Phones Are Piling Up in a Drawer of Sadness," we are able to delve deeper into this problem and its solutions. As a technology consumer, phones are used almost daily, but with this use also comes great responsibility. Smartphones are undoubtedly a common item in the 21st century. With nearly 1.4 billion phones purchased each year, that can add up to tons of waste and toxic materials. “Approximately 80% of greenhouse gas emissions from a smartphone occur before it even reaches your hands. » As previously stated by UCLA Visiting Scholar and Principal Scientist “Mr. Sanjayn; these greenhouse gases are harmful to the environment. These emissions increase the negative impacts of global warming. He also says: “Cargo ships produce the same amount of carbon dioxide for every car in the world and for every trip. » Not only does this quote show the astronomical amount of gases released simply by carrying a phone, but it also compares the quality of size to an even greater quantity. A cargo ship, weighing hundreds or even thousands of tons, crossing oceans leads to oil spills and other horrific disasters. Sanjayn also talks about his personal use and stash of old “junk phones.” Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay Towards the beginning of the video, he goes on to say, "Everyone has one (a drawer full of old phones and other old gadgets), it's like a graveyard of phones," (Sanjayn 0:02). By stating this, he can connect to his target audience of everyday gadget users on a more personal level. This way of connecting to the audience on a more emotional level, and by using this at the very beginning,. it helps the viewer not feel as guilty about hoarding old devices He goes on to explain how quickly technology is changing: “we use technology today and it's innovating so fast and it's built in such a way. which actually favors the disposable” (Sanjayn, 7:11) The technology used every day is evolving so quickly, to the point that it is seen by large companies, like Apple or IMS, where it is practically pointless not to pursue them. upgrades This caused many phone users to inappropriately dispose of their phones or even keep them when they no longer wanted or needed them. Getting consumers to buy upgrade after upgrade without thinking about the environmental cost, for example when phones are burned, exposure to smoke and gases creates a domino effect that adds to greenhouse gas emissions. These upgrades can be easily fixed, likeindicated later in the video as “IFIXIT”. Instead of having to upgrade your phone, you can simply open your phone and do the repairs yourself. This way you can save money and keep your phone without having to pay hundreds of dollars for the newest phone. Many consumers would probably not want to disassemble their phone. Whether it's because they don't pay for it themselves or because their smartphone has no way to open it. However, there are alternative and cheaper solutions to back up and repair your phone without having to buy a new one. “IFIXIT” owns a brand of phones called “Fairphone”. These phones make it easier for consumers to repair their phones themselves. Unlike spending hundreds of dollars on a new phone. Sanjayn states in the video that most phones would be less complicated to repair or repair if there were just a few steps to do it yourself. A DIY phone repair also offers the opportunity to not only save money, but also prevent landfills from being filled with toxic lithium batteries. Still, not everyone has this option available to them, especially since these phones are only available in Europe. Other options for properly disposing of cell phones include reselling them in the stores where you purchased them. For many phone plans, after purchasing a phone, you have the option to upgrade it after a certain number of years. This way, after a few years, you can exchange your old phone for a new one. “In New York and California, stores that sell you a cell phone are required to take it back for recycling” (5:00 p.m.). This means that when you buy a cell phone from a store where you originally purchased it, you can return it and those specific stores will send it to the appropriate recycling facilities. As for the rest of the other options, it includes stores like Gazelle that will buy old phones. That said, any old phones that are no longer in use can be sold for profit instead of wasting money. However, questions remain about what happens when these devices are resold or returned. Much of the waste contained in phones is considered “electronic waste” (e-waste). This is best explained by repair expert Gwendolyn Gay: "(Phones will create) toxic waste, and if we send it to a place that recycles it...we still don't get all of it back." » (4:23). This helps explain how various parts of a phone are toxic even if recycled. It can also lead to gas leaks and lead infiltration into the environment in which we live. Especially when it comes to phone batteries which can explode due to their lithium content. University of California researchers such as Marcus Worseley are working on more durable batteries, so that e-waste such as lithium is not likely to explode or even overheat. He states: “There is potential there that you can… design the battery to improve its performance… (and) with 3D printing (you can) print a battery in any shape we want” (6: 11). With 3D printing of batteries, you can also store as much energy as you want, as well as storage. Sanjayn adds: “These batteries would be made from… graphene… (which eliminates) harmful extraction of materials like lithium” (6:41). This shows to what extent the.