Made in Durham

Recycling critical metals from electronics could ease mining impacts

In short:

  • The latest Global E-Waste Monitor highlights the vast quantities of metals like copper and aluminum in discarded electronics, with only a fraction currently recycled.

  • Essential for low-carbon technologies, these metals could significantly offset the demand currently met through environmentally damaging mining.

  • Improved recycling technologies and policies are crucial for increasing the recovery of rare and valuable metals from e-waste.

Key quote:

“There is very little reporting on the recovery of metals [from e-waste] globally. We felt that it was our duty to get more facts on the table.”

— Kees Baldé, lead report author

Why this matters:

Metals like copper and aluminum, when improperly disposed of, can leach into soil and water, potentially harming wildlife and impacting human health through the food and water supply. Recycling e-waste can mitigate these risks. By recovering metals like copper and aluminum from old electronics, we not only reduce the environmental harm but also decrease the need to extract raw materials, which often involves ecologically and socially harmful mining practices.

In 2021, electronic waste from outweighed the Great Wall of China.

https://www.ehn.org/recycling-critical-metals-from-electronics-could-ease-mining-impacts-2667811868.html

DON'T THROW YOUR OLD LAPTOP IN THE DUMPSTER—DO THIS INSTEAD


Written by Joanna Nelius, senior editor and E Ink enthusiast with 5+ years experience testing PC hardware and laptops.

Updated December 11, 2023 USA Today

Help cut down on electronic waste by recycling or donating your old laptop.

All electronic devices eventually go to the great motherboard in the sky. But instead of unceremoniously sending what was once the best laptop you ever purchased to the city dump, opt to recycle or donate it. Recycling or donating your old machine is a fantastic way to help cut down e-waste by extracting precious metals and plastic for use in other applications. Or if there’s still life left in your laptop, donate to someone who can’t afford a brand-new one. READ MORE

PIRG petitions Microsoft to extend Windows 10 support

by Marissa Heffernan escrap news

As Microsoft prepares to end support for a huge number of Windows 10 devices, the Public Interest Research Group has started a petition to extend the support period for the operating system.

Microsoft plans to stop providing security updates for Windows 10 in 2025. According to the Public Interest Research Group (PIRG), an NGO focused on consumer protection, public health and transportation, up to 400 million of the 1 billion Windows 10 devices still in use will be affected. 

PIRG recently delivered 20,000 petition signatures to the company calling for Microsoft to extend support to prevent the devices from entering the waste stream.  MORE…