I have the impression that electronics get recycled very often in Japan. How true is it? How often do you exchange a perfectly fine running cell phone, for example, for latest and greatest slimmer model? A cell phone in North America should last 2-3 years before the owner decides to upgrade -- because the phone starts to break down from the physical abuse.

Just curious.

Well I think that is a VERY great idea. We Americans are freaks for wasting lots of stuff. Like the Japanese, they have a recycle system and we just dump anything into the trash can. Like one time, I had a broken battery charger that started to make smoke and 'explode'. We just dump it into a trash because we can't find any recycling places near us. So I think it's great to recycle cell phones and stuff. It'll help the environment and plus you get to use it over and over again...

Edit: We Americans DO have a recycling system but a very poor one. You have go to to this place to recycle and my parents are just too lazy to just move their butts.

Japans really strict on recycling, the streets are oh so clean .

Thats the biggest problem outside Japan. When u want to recycle stuff u have to go about 5 miles to throw it.

Hahaha no kidding. I was trying to throw some trash away from the Tokyo Auto Salon today and jesus christ was it ever more challenging to find a trash can.

You can probably furnish your whole house on recycled appliances then!

Haha...I think not even half the people in America even know that most of their stuff is recycled goods. Heh...That's why Japan RULES!!!