Image source, Getty ImagesAccording to the international electrical waste and electronic equipment forum, this year will see over five billion mobile phones thrown away.
The problem of "e-waste" is highlighted by its estimate.
Research shows that many people keep old phones.
There are precious minerals not found in waste electronics that need to be mined.
All these seemingly insignificant items have a lot of value and together at a global level represent massive volumes.
Almost a third of the mobile phones in Europe are no longer used.
The amount of electrical and electronic waste will grow by 74 million tonnes a year by the year 2030.
The Royal Society of Chemistry launched a campaign earlier this year to promote the mining of e-waste to produce new products and highlight global conflict.
"These devices offer many important resources that can be used in the production of new electronic devices or other equipment, such as wind turbine, electric car batteries or solar panels - all crucial for the green, digital transition to low-carbon."
One of the fastest growing and most complex waste streams that affects both human health and the environment as it can contain harmful substances is highlighted.
More than one million unused but working electrical items, worth as much as $5.63 billion, are currently stashed in UK homes, according to surveys by Material Focus.
The average UK household could make about 200 dollars selling tech.
Where to find recycling centers is one of the tips provided in the organisation's online campaign.
A lot more could be done.
"Offering collection boxes in supermarkets, pick up of small broken appliances upon delivery of new ones and offering PO boxes to return small e-waste are just some of the initiatives introduced to encourage the return of these items," he said.
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