The amount of E-waste the world produces a year is a staggering 50 million tons a year, and only growing. While that’s only a fraction of the overall waste the world generates, it makes up the lionshare of toxic waste. As such, it’s more important than ever to produce effective and efficient e-waste recycling technology.
Much of the technology we use now involves older techniques, converted to e-waste recycling. Smelting down metal, using acidic solutions to break down components, shredding and magnetizing. However, as the e-waste problem grows, so too are the solutions to it, and novel ideas are being pioneered to recover as much as possible from our discarded technology.
Types of E-Waste Recycling Technology in Use
Pyrometallurgical Recycling
The most common type of e-waste recycling, as it can recover metals quickly and at a high volume. Typically, this method involves breaking down an old piece of technology into its key components, either by hand, chemical, or heat. Once separated, disparate pieces are run through smelters, which break them down to their base materials. Non-metallic components are then recycled using other technologies.
Hydrometallurgical Recycling
This method of recycling is a bit more complicated than pyrometallurgical, but it’s still an effective method. It begins with leaching, where the metals or components are placed in a solution that contains a type of acid tailored to the type of metal being extracted.
Following the leaching, the metal ions need to be concentrated and purified, and there are a few different ways to accomplish this. Once the metals are concentrated and purified, they need to be recovered. This step happens through electrolysis or precipitation, or, in simpler terms, through the use of magnets or more acids.
While this method requires less energy and produces fewer emissions than the pyrometallurgical method, it does unfortunately produce some toxic waste due to the acids and solutions used in the process.
E-Waste Recycling Technology Under Development
Bio-Metallurgical Recycling
This e-waste recycling technology is newer, but currently showing great promise. Some species of fungi and bacteria have innate processes that break down metals. Researchers are currently working to scale this and engineer the bacteria to be more efficient at breaking down material. While still largely in development, this method presents a much more environmentally friendly way to recycle e-waste.
Fungi and Bacteria Leaching
Scientists are currently conducting trials with fungi and bacteria that convert materials as simple as glucose into acids capable of breaking down metallic products. The leaching process is one of the most toxic-waste producing steps of the hydrometallurgical recycling process, and these organisms could potentially replace it, helping reduce technology’s negative impact on the environment.
Choose a Sustainable Solution for your E-Waste with Electronics Recycling Finder
If you’re looking to reduce your own e-waste’s impact on the environment, Electronics Recycling Finder can help. We partner with a nationwide network of sustainable and affordable recycling providers who can make sure your old technology doesn’t end up in a landfill. Give us a call at (844) 648-4908, or fill out the form on the page, and we’ll find you a recycling solution in just minutes.
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