Environmentalists in Korea have called for old cell phones in the area to be recycled properly and not simply thrown away.

As well as the environmental impact the phones have they also contain expensive metals such as palladium and rhodium and proper recycling could produce seven to eight billion won in profits.

According to the Chosunilbo Daily News, environmentalists have estimated that over 40 million cell phones are not in use.

In an average 140-gram phone, there are around 30 elements, all made with expensive metals.

Analysis from the Ministry of the Environment and Association of Electronics Environment suggests that for every kilogram of phones, the amount of materials that could be extracted is worth around nine to ten thousand won.

Hong Su-yeol of the Korea Waste Movement Network has now called for more information to be provided on the issue and citizens to be better educated on correct recycling methods.