Recycling Precious Metals

Old electronic devices contain a wealth of gold and silver that can often be recovered at a higher rate than most extant mines. But this electronic trash is going to waste. Most developing nations lack the infrastructure to recycle old technology products, while in developed nations most of the precious metals don’t re-enter the production cycle. In the European Union, electronic producers are obliged to take back their used materials, however. Still, the worldwide increase in production of computers and cell phones means that the amount of electronic waste is projected to grow exponentially over the next few years. And thanks to “illegal recycling,” most of the world’s current technology waste is likely to end up being dumped in Africa, where cancer-causing toxic remains end up in the air and environment. – YaleGlobal