Day: April 1, 2020

The researchers have found a non-toxic solvent that can recover clean streams of PC from polycarbonate plastic.

With over 20 million tonnes of technology ending up in landfill each year, Cat Harding and Mardi Brown knew they had to “Pony Up” – or do their bit. Now they’re not just diverting tech from landfill, they’re changing a culture of corporate e-waste, writes Maggie Coggan in this month’s Spotlight on…

Every single day, 142,000 computers are thrown away in the United States alone. At least, that was the case in 2010. Electronic waste is the fastest growing municipal waste stream in the world. Today, that number is far higher and the only way to alleviate the situation is getting people to talk more about it. Photographer Benjamin Von Wong uses his photography as a way to make a positive social impact.

Mixed-plastic electronics waste could be a valuable source of reusable polymers, a new study suggests. The team has developed the first energy-efficient and environmentally friendly process that separates mixed polymers so that they can be recycled into new, high-quality plastic products.

Steve Skurnac sat down with Waste360 to discuss the need for innovative recycling technologies and strategies for OEMs and producers.

Lylie’s e-waste Jewellery turns tech trash into treasure. The innovative London based brand uses recycled e-waste in its stunning jewellery…

The Singapore government will be requiring electronic goods producers and possibly even retailers to collect the products they sell and ensure that they are recycled or disposed of properly. Under such an approach known as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), the government will set collection targets for these companies, which if not met could attract fines, said Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Masagos Zulkifli on Thursday.

Nothing is really new from recently launched Apple products this week, except for one major step towards sustainability… writes Wesley Diphoko.

Organisations from the UN system most active in addressing the global electronic waste (e-waste) have pledged to bring an end to it. They have signed a Letter of Intent, paving the way for co-ordination and collaboration for the management of e-waste. The signatories include UN Environment, the International Telecommunication Union, UN University, International Labour Organisation, the Basel and Stockholm Convention and the UN Institute for Training and Research.

E-waste is making headlines at the World Economic Forum in Davos, encouraging brands to start thinking about the materials they use. House of Marley, an audio brand inspired by Bob Marley, has been working on it for a decade, putting organic cotton, hemp, and recycled aluminum in their gear.

As of 2017, over 47 million tons of e-waste were generated and the numbers are rising annually by 4%. Unfortunately, only 20% of e-waste is subject to recycling and 80% are dumped in landfills or burned, knowing that e-waste accounts for nearly 70% of toxic waste.

The advantages of living in a connected world are many and varied. But too much of that relies on a culture of constantly upgrading gadgets. Where those unwanted devices end up, and how they are treated, is becoming a major concern.

Every second, metals that form the components of our day-to-day electronics are thrown out. There are currently no efficient methods for recycling them, yet our need for these metals remains strong. Yale researchers have developed a solution that salvages metals at their “end-of-life” stage and…

Electronic waste – while a lucrative business for processing plants – releases harmful lead, mercury, cadmium, and other toxins into the environment. E-waste is a growing problem in Southeast Asia as China cracks down on its recycling and e-waste imports, the world’s main dumping ground for…

£1m cash pot for companies aiming to reduce food waste. Zero Waste Scotland is working to help the Scottish Government achieve its target.