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#ewasterecycling

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Better ways to recover metals needed for technology from #ElectronicWaste could benefit the #environment and human health

Published: December 3, 2024

"As if our tech consumption hadn’t pushed demand for these metals through the roof in recent years, COVID also helped to make it worse. The pandemic drove sales of new electronics, contributing to more waste as old equipment became obsolete. The change to work-from-home/hybrid working saw more purchases of laptops and mobile phones. People also saw the pandemic as an opportunity to upgrade their televisions and games consoles.

"This has made it all the more important to recover the crucial materials we need from e-waste. One response has been from the Royal Mint, which has opened a recycling plant to recover 450kg of gold from 4,000 tonnes of e-waste per year – potentially enough for around 13 million phones. The average smartphone contains around 34mg of gold, which accounts for over 60% of the value of the metal-based parts of the phone per device.

"The Royal Mint initiative is an important milestone towards adopting a greener approach to metal recovery from discarded hardware. The mint is using an ambient temperature process, which means that precious metals can be recovered at room temperatures rather than being sent to smelters. The same process also allows for the selective recovery of other metals from the waste, such as palladium, silver, copper, iron, steel and aluminium.

Toxic methods

"The Royal Mint initiative is important because the recovery of technology-critical metals from recycled electronics typically employs much harsher conditions. Waste electronics generally first undergo what’s called pyrometallurgy, the extraction and purification of metals involving the application of heat in a smelter. This is done to liberate the metals from their casings.

"Further purification – both for the Royal Mint and other recovery processes – is carried out using methods collectively known as hydrometallurgy. This uses water-based solutions to recover purer forms of the metal, but also produces harmful waste: strong acids, such as sulphuric acid or nitric acid, as well as a group of chemicals called lixiviants, which can include cyanides, may be used to dissolve materials.

"Further treatment is required before these substances can be safely discharged back into the environment. Not doing so risks significant environmental impacts like the reported 'cancer villages' in China, which some have linked to factories and polluted waterways.

"Also environmentally troublesome is what’s known as artisanal, or small-scale, #mining – involving individuals, groups or co-operatives, rather than corporations. This accounts for 12%-15% of the global mined gold supply, accounting for around 2,000 tonnes per year.

"This mining occurs in over 70 different countries. The UN Environmental Programme estimates that artisanal and small-scale mining involve 10 to 15 million miners globally, including 4 to 5 million women and children.

"The cheapest and simplest method of extracting gold from ores, as well as from waste electronics, involves using mercury. This involves boiling off the mercury, releasing toxic mercury vapour into the environment. This can significantly reduce the life expectancies of people exposed to the resulting pollution, as well as causing significant damage to local water-sources and to soil.

"The opening of the metal recycling plant by the Royal Mint is therefore beneficial for various reasons besides being relatively environmentally friendly. It will lead to fewer toxic metals going to landfill that could potentially leach out into water supplies, and it will reduce our reliance on artisanal and small-scale mining for gold, reducing pollution and the risk to human health."

theconversation.com/better-way

The ConversationBetter ways to recover metals needed for technology from electronic waste could benefit the environment and human healthRecycling metals from e-waste will be critical as demand for raw materials is likely to outstrip supply in the near future.

16 places to responsibly dispose of old #electronics in #Philadelphia

When not properly recycled, #Ewaste can leach into the waterways — and we miss a chance to get more use out of precious materials.

Words by McKenzie Morgan
Nov 30, 2024

"For many Philadelphians, old #CellPhones, #laptops and other #electronics gather dust in drawers or boxes in the back of closets.

"When residents finally start to feel fed up with the clutter or during their annual spring cleanings, these devices are sometimes tossed into the trash or blue recycling bins. These forgotten electronics have become a part of a growing citywide e-waste problem.

"Philadelphia creates around 1.5 million tons of residential and commercial waste annually, according to government initiative SmartCityPHL. Electronics and textiles comprise about 10% of the city’s waste stream. The rest is sent to incinerators and landfills, bringing hazardous and resource-rich materials with it.

"But the good news is, there’s something residents can do about it.

"While giving up or not upgrading our devices isn’t always an option, getting them out of our curbside bins and landfills is. The Philadelphia metro region has over a dozen facilities where you can donate and properly recycle your e-waste, keeping them out of landfills and giving them new life.

Here’s a guide to places in the Philadelphia region to responsibly dispose of old electronics."

Read more:
technical.ly/civic-news/electr

Technically Media · 16 places to responsibly dispose of old electronics in PhiladelphiaBy McKenzie Morgan

Okay the SSD has arrived for the #maclinuxbuild I’m using a 480GB SSD as the startup disk which will be housed where the optical drive used to be. I’ll eventually have additional storage in the other vacant optical drive bay as well as the four lower bays. Per suggestion by @itsfoss I’ve just ordered a 64GB #ram kit. #linux #kde #gnome #opensource #slowtech #foss #floss #photo #photography #ewasterecycling #upcycling #2025Goals

#OmniSource #ElectronicsRecycling encouraging community to "#Recycle With Kindness"

by Caitlynn Shipe Dec 2, 2024

#FortWayneIndiana (WFFT) — "OmniSource Electronics Recycling LLC is encouraging the community to 'Recycle With Kindness' this holiday season.

"From Dec. 9-13, the waste management company will host a free electronics recycling week for those who trade in essential item donations.

"'We believe in the power of giving back and supporting our local charities,' Jennifer Marbaugh, OmniSource Electronics Recycling marking representative, said. 'This holiday season, we are excited to make electronics recycling free, in exchange for our donors to contribute to those in need in our community.'

"The [donated] items such as non-perishable foods, hygiene products and cleaning supplies will be given to The Redemption House and The Rescue Mission."

wfft.com/news/local/omnisource

FOX 55 Fort WayneOmniSource Electronics Recycling encouraging community to "Recycle With Kindness"The event will benefit The Redemption House and The Rescue Mission.