The AIMPLAS-coordinated project sought to test the efficacy of several circular business models, including ecodesign, ecoleasing and improved waste management. | Courtesy of AIMPLAS
Four years of work on circular business models in the electronics sector wrapped up in mid-October, when the C-SERVEES Project gave its final report.
Researchers evaluated 1,003 life cycle reports from various manufacturers to determine the amount of carbon dioxide emissions created during the life span of products. | Maxx-Studio/Shutterstock
To help cut growing greenhouse gas emissions from electronics, researchers are suggesting extending the life spans of devices.
Gartner tallied 68 million computers were shipped globally for sale in the third quarter, which marked the fourth consecutive quarter of year-over-year declines. | KenSoftTH/Shutterstock
Worldwide shipments of PCs in the third quarter were down by nearly 20% year over year, according to a Gartner analysis, the steepest decline in decades.
Researchers found unique interactions between graphene and gold ions yield exceptional selectivity in extraction from e-scrap. | Dominic Warren/Shutterstock
A cutting-edge method of recovering gold from solutions works without energy inputs, lab testing found.
Researchers have been granted a technology license for a method to recover precious metals from personal computers. | Dario Lo Presti/Shutterstock
A public-private research group established by the United States Department of Energy granted a technology license for a way to use gas-assisted solvents to extract precious metals from used electronics more easily.
Research from S&P Global found a push toward clean energy sources will drive total demand for copper from 25 million metric tons today to about 50 million metric tons by 2035. | Flegere/Shutterstock
Electrification is going to require huge amounts of copper in the coming decades, so much so that boosting mining, recycling and materials substitution together won’t be enough to meet demand, according to a study.
Researchers at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory are working toward commercializing their rare earth element recovery technology. | KPixMining/Shutterstock
Chemical engineers have successfully scaled up a method for recycling rare earth elements using membrane solvent extraction.
Nearly 40% of surveyed CFOs and CEOs said that sustainability initiatives would be the first cut in tight financial times. | Jirapong Manustrong/Shutterstock
A survey of CEOs and chief financial officers suggested that when businesses are considering cuts amid current economic headwinds, sustainability initiatives are among the first to go.
A Canadian survey found computers, TVs and cell phones were the three most common types of electronics households had to dispose of. | Valeri Potapova/Shutterstock
Canadian authorities say the percentage of households disposing of unwanted computers, printers, TVs, audio/visual equipment and cell phones continued to drop last year.
An acid-free dissolution method can selectively target rare earths for extraction. | Bokstaz/Shutterstock
A technology that will allow recyclers to extract valuable metals from e-scrap like shredded hard drives without affecting the other materials is entering its pilot plant stage.