Unlocking Billions from E-Waste: A ClimateTech Revolution

As noted by the Boston Consulting Group (BCG), with predictions indicating that global e-waste could double by 2050, the metals and mining industry is facing a significant and profitable opportunity.

Our increasing electronic waste contains valuable metals and minerals that are predominantly ending up in landfills or incinerated, with only 20% currently being recycled, according to the World Economic Forum.

The UN highlights that the metals in discarded electronics are worth an astonishing $91 billion, placing 'urban mining' at the forefront of potential solutions to this escalating issue.

In a recent narrative shared via LinkedIn on 'The Golden Opportunities Buried in E-Waste', Timm Lux, BCG's Associate Director of Non-Ferrous Metals & Recycling, brought attention to the wastefulness prevalent today.

He said that such profligacy “goes beyond the monetary value of materials that are being thrown away”. 

“Recycling e-waste could fill a looming supply gap for a number of critical minerals, such as copper – which has a central role in the energy transition," he added. "It could also help protect against the risk of supply chain disruptions from geopolitical tensions." 

Advocating for localised solutions

Timm says the various reasons why locally based solutions to e-waste exceed the benefits of global shipping for processing.

These include reducing the risk of poor labour conditions for workers handling the waste and enhancing the traceability of raw materials found within products.

Despite the potential, a minimal fraction of e-waste is currently recycled, with a considerable amount containing 'critical materials.'

Despite these opportunities, Timm warns that the volume of generated global e-waste is on a troubling upward trajectory, expected to reach 137 million tonnes annually by 2050, more than doubling over the next 25 years based on BCG's analysis.

“For example, it can lower the risk of unacceptable labour conditions for the people sorting the waste and cracking open devices,” he said. "Only a fraction of this e-waste is being recycled,” he added, pointing out that among this waste “is a significant amount of ‘critical materials”.

BCG outlines a multi-faceted approach to mitigating the e-waste crisis.

Among these strategies, raising awareness among consumers is paramount, according to BCG.

Timm detailed the criticality of educating the public and facilitating the collection of old devices, such as laptops and mobile phones, to enhance recycling rates.

• Consumer awareness a necessity: “Many old laptops or mobile phones are thrown in the trash or stuck at the back of the closet,” Timm said. “There needs to be ongoing education and awareness campaigns, as well as convenient ways to get devices collected." 
• Partnerships are key to success: For burgeoning market participants, scrutinising the entire process is vital
• Navigating regulations: The imposition of new regulations is fostering local demand. BCG points to the EU’s extended producer responsibility (EPR) rules and the Critical Raw Materials Act as key initiatives propelling the push towards local recycling efforts. Similarly, in the US, clean energy incentives and potential ERP rules are expected to bolster recycling infrastructures significantly
• Embracing the recycling ecosystem: This approach encompasses collaboration with electronics companies, retailers, waste collection entities and specialist services focused on responsible equipment disposal and recycling.

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