Recycling Critical Metals in Electronic Garbage Could Reduce Need for Mining

The recycling rates for other energy transition metals are significantly lower.

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The United Nations (UN) Global E-Waste Monitor shows a startling increase in the amount of electronic garbage produced worldwide. In 2022, around 62 million tons of gadgets were thrown away. A mountain of metals, including as copper, aluminum, and other vital minerals, can be found in these electronic wastes; their recovery could lessen the need for mining.

Two of the most recyclable metals that are frequently found in e-waste are copper and aluminum. About 4 million metric tons of aluminum and 2 million metric tons of copper were found in the e-waste produced in 2022; only 60% of this material was recycled. According to the IEA, by 2030, the need for copper in low-carbon technology may almost triple. Also, the demand for aluminum is anticipated to grow by up to 80% by 2050.

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Other energy transition metals have far lower recycling rates. For example, according to the IEA, 7,248 metric tons of neodymium were found in e-waste in 2022, which is about three-quarters of the neodymium needed by the wind and EV industries that year.

Furthermore, in 2022, over half a million metric tons of nickel were found in the world's e-waste. By 2050, the EV sector's nickel consumption is expected to increase tenfold.

Only through innovative recycling techniques can the metals found in e-waste be fully utilized.