To have thrown a bunch of smashed up old mobile phones in the bin

[Pavementworrier]

Sims removed but otherwise just as they were

I'd been keeping of them to "destroy securely" but they're driving me insane around the house so enough was enough

Will I get digitally kidnapped now? They were really old and shit phones.

Even with the SIM removed, there could still be data on your phone smashed or otherwise. And yes, you recycle litium and other batteries otherwise they cause fires and serious damage to recycling plants and lorries . 700 fires in 2022 so yes a lot of people are like you and don't know or now it seems care.

Just going back to the original point of the thread, how do you ensure your data isn't being taken off your old dead tech if you hand it over to someone to recycle? I have 2 PCs and a number of phones, kindles and ipads accumulated over the last 15 years or so and I still have them in a cupboard because of data concerns. If I were to sell or gift a phone, I would restore to factory settings but these have all died in various ways meaning I cannot turn them on and do that.

Have you actually asked them where their battery recycling bin is?

The law says they have to have one

Telephone or email your local council (the one responsible for waste disposal) and ask them what you are meant to do. Every council will have different arrangements so no one here can give you an answer.

Very little actual responsibility so they worry about…. the world??

Same here- wish computer shops had ways of disposing of them- shredders etc. I have several old iPads

You can donate mobile phones by post to the British Heart Foundation.

www.bhf.org.uk/shop/donating-goods/post-your-donations

What about old lap tops and iPads etc?

Do you flush tampons too?

They can go to the dump where they go into a small electricals container and are then broken up for recycling.

I looked it up and all Tesco and Co op branches have small battery recycling bins near the checkout.

Thank you. looking at this though, I think they are looking at phones that may be suitable for them to sell on. I have old phones like an iPhone 3 that would not be suitable to sell on, as it would not longer be able to update. Just need somewhere to send them to that is basically for scrap, not stuff suitable for resale.

have you got a local phone repair shop? Ours will take phones, laptops and tablets and recycle them at no charge. I think they get paid by the company who collect the stuff from them. If you can't get there in person, you might ask if you can post them.

https://www.littlelives.org.uk/donate/donate-phone-tablet-charity/

Here's another way of disposing of old phones by post and raising money for charity at the same time.

I’m just concerned the data on them, that I may not be able to do factory reset on some

If they are Apple, Apple should take them back, if you go on their website they will likely send you packaging for them.

Have you asked? Sometimes the bin isn't on display. Chemists might also have one. Or ask your local council if any local shops do.

Of course it's mainstream.

Our council collects small electricals and cameras/mobile, things that fit in a carrier bag, it doesn't seem that many do. You leave the carrier bag next to your bins each week

FFS

What is so difficult about it that you can't do? Most other people give a shit about the environment enough to put different types of waste in different bins without it taking much thought or time.

even pre school kids can manage it!!

Which country do you live in?

in England if they sell batteries they have to take them back for recycling, do loads of places will take them, you might just need to ask if you can't see a container for them.

Also look up small appliance/electricam recycling & you'll get a list if places.

your council website will tell you too.

Responsibility? I wouldn't trust you with a house plant.

funnily enough, responsible people are the ones who care about the environment & other peoples.

its ignorant twats who do not.

Then just ask where you should put them, they sell batteries, by jaw they have to take them for recycling! But their bin may be behind the counter out of the way in a small shop

If you're in England use recyclenow.com & look on your council website.

my local small supermarket recycles tons of stuff, but it's not obvious as they don't have room in the store but they have bins in the warehouse & just take it through there.

if I was your friend/neighbour I'd happily take it for you.

Well, that is depressing. You can recycle them so many places. Tescos, Sainsburys, Rymans, Robert Dyas, in many councils on top of your recycling bin, the rubbish tip...

I seriously thought that everyone would do it unless that have absolutely no care for our planet at all.