Everyone has a cell phone these days, and people are constantly upgrading them to get the latest and greatest communication gadgets with the coolest new features. The average lifespan of a cell phone is just eighteen months, and in the US alone, about 130 million old phones are retired every year. Of all those phones, merely one percent are recycled, which is a huge problem, because old cell phones are bad for the environment.  Almost all cell phones contain enough lead that they officially qualify as hazardous waste under federal standards, and even lead free phones contain enough copper, nickel, antimony, and zinc to be considered hazardous by California state regulations. These materials leach into landfills and create big problems, so why not recycle your old phone next time you upgrade? Someone who can’t afford to get the latest iPhone or Blackberry will appreciate your old junker, and you won't be hurting the environment in the name of getting your hands on the latest gadget.