A new paper in Nature Computational Science examines potential scenarios for AI-related e-scrap generation, which is driven by its data center needs. | Funtap/Shutterstock
As artificial intelligence continues to ramp up, researchers said the computing-heavy tool could lead to skyrocketing volumes of end-of-life electronics and called for equal attention to asset management. Continue Reading
A new report from the International Energy Agency found that recycling could lower the need for new mining activity by 25% to 40% by 2050, if scaled up properly. | GS Photography/Shutterstock
A report from the International Energy Agency emphasized the “importance of unlocking the potential of recycling” and laid out policy recommendations for scaling up the industry globally. Continue Reading
The matrix made from recycled e-plastic. | Courtesy of NTU Singapore
Researchers at the Nanyang Technological University-Singapore have come up with a novel product idea for recycled ABS – cell cultures that can be used to grow test tumors. Continue Reading
The UN Conference on Trade and Development said in its Digital Economy Report that developing nations shoulder a disproportionate share of the environmental impact from global digitalization. | KPixMining/Shutterstock
People living in developed countries generate more than 20 times as much e-scrap as their counterparts in developing countries, according to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development’s recently released 2024 Digital Economy Report. Continue Reading
In the collaboration between multiple Austrian research universities, researchers tested a two-stage bacterial process for recovering both common metals and rare earths from the shredded e-scrap stream. | Gorodenkoff/Shutterstock
A team of Austrian researchers have developed what they describe as a “cost-effective” and non-polluting method to recover rare earth metals from electronics, and so far, they’ve achieved recovery rates of up to 85% from the e-scrap stream. Continue Reading
In 2022, electronics recovery in Oregon decreased by 10%, according to a new state report. | Morten-B/Shutterstock
The amount of material Oregonians disposed of in 2022 dropped significantly from the year before, mainly due to fewer building-destroying wildfires, and electronics made up only 0.4% of the recycled materials.
Researchers at the Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory are recovering manganese, magnesium, dysprosium and neodymium from e-scrap using a salt water-based solution. | Mike Perkins/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Researchers at the Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory found a way to recover some critical metals from e-scrap using a mixed-salt water-based solution. Continue Reading
The U.S. Department of Energy on March 28 announced 17 projects that will receive a combined $62 million in government funding to improve consumer access to battery recycling and to improve the economics of battery processing. | Sergii Chernov/Shutterstock
Municipal collection events. Fire safety systems. Robotic sortation upgrades. These are a few of the numerous battery recycling efforts to receive a combined $62 million in government funding made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Continue Reading
The U.N.’s fourth Global E-Waste Monitor report estimated 62 million metric tons of end-of-life electronics and electrical appliances were generated in 2022, of which 22.3% were recycled through formal collection systems. | SAPhotog/Shutterstock
A global analysis from the United Nations found that electronics and electrical equipment are reaching end of life at a quantity and speed that is far outpacing the recycling sector’s capacity to collect and process that material. Still, the global collection rate is on the rise. Continue Reading
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Electronics Scrap Materials Recycling Prize is a multi-phase competition for a range of electronics recycling industry players. | Morten B/Shutterstock
A technology manager with the U.S. Department of Energy said improving e-scrap management fits squarely within the federal government’s material sourcing and climate goals. That’s why the agency has launched a new funding and technical assistance opportunity targeting electronics recovery. Continue Reading