Americans discard more than 100 million computers, cellphones and other electronic devices each year. As 'e-waste' piles up, so does concern about this growing threat to the environment. )

The world is realizing and becoming concerned about the waste that is generated from electronic products. While cell phones represent a small percentage of this total waste, due to their small size and rapid replacement cycle, they are more likely to end up in the waste stream and contribute a growing portion of the toxic materials that end up in our landfills.

Cell phones and their accessories contain a large number of hazardous substances known as Persistent, Bioaccumulative and Toxic Chemicals (PBTs).

Included in the list of PBTs are metals (e.g. antimony, arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, copper and lead) which can linger in the environment for a long time and have adverse effects on human health. A number of these chemicals have been known to cause damage to the nervous system, reproductive and development problems, cancer and have other genetic impacts.