Chemistry Research Paper
The life cycle of a cell phone begins at the factory where its fabrication occurs using different components such as metals, silicon processor chips, plastics, and glass. The extraction of these materials from their ores and other sources forms part of the cradle for the phone. The fabrication process results in the emission of pollutant gases such as Carbon (IV) Oxide. It is shipped to the consumer who uses the phone until the end of its convenience. At this phase, the phone uses electricity and emits electromagnetic radiation that causes pollution.
The processor chips, usually made of silicon, are traditionally harvested and, after a series of ultra-purification and other processes, are fabricated into the phone along with the other components. Its manufacturing consumes electricity, the same as its use. After disposal, it shredded along with the rest of the phone before it goes through automatized mechanical sorting. (Soo V.K. and Mathew D.). At this point, the circuit board, light plastic, dark plastic, and other metals care sorted. These are later transported to the commodities market. From here, the processor chip will once again form part of a new electronic device. These chips have to achieve 12N purity before they are viable for electronics use.
After the user disposes of the phone, it eis taken for recycling where the useful components are extracted. According to Thomas G.P., the phone is shredded into dust and heated to 1100 degrees Celsius before it undergoes chemical processing. It is then taken to a smelter where the relevant metals are removed for reuse. Therefore, after the phone is dismantled and shredded, it is incinerated, before electrolysis is conducted to remove the metals. The extracted materials are then returned to the company for processing and to form part of a new device.
The phone usually consists of heavy metals such as lead, copper, silver, and gold. When it has outlived its time of use, these metals are molten out of the phone, which has been shredded to dust, at high temperatures and then separated using electricity that disintegrates the mixture into its various components of metals. These metals after cooling are taken back to the factory for processing, whereby they will make parts of other electronic devices. The recycled metals can also be combined with newly harvested ones to ensure durability.
The cradle-to-cradle life cycle of the phone meets only part of the three pillars of sustainability. The environmental component is not met because the recycling process possesses the risk of pollution of the environment through solid waste in landfills and emissions. However, it is economical as it enables salvaging of what could still be useful and ensures the fair distribution of resources. Due to the process in which it improves the living standards of the public, it meets the social pillar, which will make it acceptable to the users of the cell phone.
Moreover, there is the grave to cradle the life cycle involves the use of waste and disposed materials for the production of new ones. It picks up from the recycling and reuse of disposed of devices and focuses on their processing into newer ones that are viable for the market. This process is economical as it involves the use of waste as raw materials for production. Furthermore, it is environmentally friendly as it consists of removing some pollutants from the environment and turning them into resources. It also has the social pillar as the quality of the lives of the users will improve.
Works Cited
Thomas, G.P. “Recycling of Mobile Phones.” AZoCleantech. 01 May 2020. <https://www.azocleantech.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=275>
Soo, Vi Kie, and Matthew Doolan. “Recycling mobile phone impact on life cycle assessment.” Procedia corp 15 (2014): 263-271.