BSR Insight | Precious Waste: Finding Gold in Discarded Electronics
An article by United Nations University highlighted the opportunity for recovering potentially billions of dollars' worth of precious metals from discarded electronics. As global demand for electronics rises and technological advances make product life cycles shorter and shorter, better solutions for recovering and reusing e-waste materials become more pressing.
An estimated 320 tons of gold, or US$16 billion, go into electronics each year. But only 10 to 15 percent of gold from e-waste is recovered. There are more precious metals in electronics than in traditionally mined ore—some estimate that this source is 40 to 50 percent richer—and they can pose environmental hazards if left in landfills.
Apart from designing electronic products that are more durable and "upgradeable," governments and companies should implement more robust recycling programs and end-of-use product services, which will result in more sustainable consumption, better environmental conservation, and economic benefits. BSR's Marshall Chase offered more solutions to product obsolescence and e-waste in an Insight article late last year.
About the Author(s)
Julia Robinson, Communications Associate
Julia provides editorial, media, marketing, and digital support to BSR staff and projects... Read more →
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