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| Millions of old gadgets 'stockpiled in drawers' | Millions of old gadgets 'stockpiled in drawers' |
| (about 11 hours later) | |
| "Ten phones, two laptops, digital cameras... all just sitting here. We're not dealing with it." Louise Lewis is surveying a collection of old gadgets that have piled up in her home. | "Ten phones, two laptops, digital cameras... all just sitting here. We're not dealing with it." Louise Lewis is surveying a collection of old gadgets that have piled up in her home. |
| Her technological stash, experts say, is typical. But it could jeopardise our ability to manufacture new devices. | Her technological stash, experts say, is typical. But it could jeopardise our ability to manufacture new devices. |
| A study has estimated that as many as 40 million unused gadgets are languishing in UK homes. | A study has estimated that as many as 40 million unused gadgets are languishing in UK homes. |
| Each device contains multiple valuable and increasingly endangered elements. | Each device contains multiple valuable and increasingly endangered elements. |
| The growing, unseen shortage of so-called "rare earth elements" was the impetus for the Royal Society of Chemistry's survey of just how much unused technology we are all stockpiling. | The growing, unseen shortage of so-called "rare earth elements" was the impetus for the Royal Society of Chemistry's survey of just how much unused technology we are all stockpiling. |
| The organisation carried out an online survey - completed by more than 2,000 people - which revealed that half of UK households had at least one unused electronic device and 45% of homes had between two and five. Most people admitted they had no plans to recycle their collection. | |
| What elements could we run out of? | What elements could we run out of? |
| "There are about 30 different elements just in a smartphone," said Elisabeth Ratcliffe from the Royal Society of Chemistry, "and many of them are very rare." | |
| The metal indium, she explained, is used in a unique compound called indium tin oxide, which is vital for touch screens, because it conducts electricity and is transparent. "It's also used in solar panels, so we're going to need a lot of it in the future. | The metal indium, she explained, is used in a unique compound called indium tin oxide, which is vital for touch screens, because it conducts electricity and is transparent. "It's also used in solar panels, so we're going to need a lot of it in the future. |
| "There's not a lot of it in the Earth and you need a kilo of ore to extract just a few milligrams of indium." | "There's not a lot of it in the Earth and you need a kilo of ore to extract just a few milligrams of indium." |
| Most of us will not have heard of tantalum, but it's a highly corrosion-resistant metal that is "perfect for small electronic devices like our phones", explained Ms Ratcliffe. "But it's also perfect for hearing aids and pace-makers," she told BBC News. | |
| Scientists estimate that indium and tantalum mines, among others, could run out within a century. Meanwhile, our demand for new technology continues to increase. | Scientists estimate that indium and tantalum mines, among others, could run out within a century. Meanwhile, our demand for new technology continues to increase. |
| "Even the copper in all that wire is not endlessly abundant," added Ms Ratcliffe. "On top of that, most of these devices are coated in plastic, which could be recycled." | |
| Elements in smart phones that could run out within the next 100 years | Elements in smart phones that could run out within the next 100 years |
| So what should I do with my old tech? | So what should I do with my old tech? |
| In short - recycle it; you can search for your nearest electronics recycling point online. | In short - recycle it; you can search for your nearest electronics recycling point online. |
| "Take it to your local tip," advised Stuart Price from Electrical Waste Recycling in Huddersfield. "Or a retailer - distributors actually have an obligation to take back material when you buy a new product from them." | "Take it to your local tip," advised Stuart Price from Electrical Waste Recycling in Huddersfield. "Or a retailer - distributors actually have an obligation to take back material when you buy a new product from them." |
| "We need this material to go to reprocessing facilities, so it can be processed properly." | "We need this material to go to reprocessing facilities, so it can be processed properly." |
| Many people who hoard old tech are concerned about protecting their personal data, but a "factory reset" should protect that - and council tips and responsible retailers keep electronics secure before they are recycled. | |
| According to the Electrical Waste Recycling Group, about 500,000 tonnes of electronic waste is recycled in the UK every year. But that is only a fraction of the "E-waste" that is piling up in landfill and in people's homes. | According to the Electrical Waste Recycling Group, about 500,000 tonnes of electronic waste is recycled in the UK every year. But that is only a fraction of the "E-waste" that is piling up in landfill and in people's homes. |
| Much of the responsibility for that will lie with tech manufacturers, according to Prof Lenny Koh, director of the Centre for Energy, Environment and Sustainability at the University of Sheffield. | Much of the responsibility for that will lie with tech manufacturers, according to Prof Lenny Koh, director of the Centre for Energy, Environment and Sustainability at the University of Sheffield. |
| "The current approach is not sustainable," she told BBC News. "With increasing demand and reliance on smaller devices and more sophisticated technology, there'll only be more waste to be recycled. | "The current approach is not sustainable," she told BBC News. "With increasing demand and reliance on smaller devices and more sophisticated technology, there'll only be more waste to be recycled. |
| "Manufacturers need to think about the entire life-cycle of a device at the design stage - so devices are built to be fully recyclable." | "Manufacturers need to think about the entire life-cycle of a device at the design stage - so devices are built to be fully recyclable." |
| Ms Ratcliffe added that we can all help by delaying a phone upgrade for a while longer. "This is the International Year of the Periodic Table," she said. "So it's a great time to be thinking about all the amazing elements out there. And just by holding onto your current phone for another year, you can really make a difference in environmental terms." | Ms Ratcliffe added that we can all help by delaying a phone upgrade for a while longer. "This is the International Year of the Periodic Table," she said. "So it's a great time to be thinking about all the amazing elements out there. And just by holding onto your current phone for another year, you can really make a difference in environmental terms." |
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