From printed circuit boards to USB cables and plugs, yesterday's electronic waste will now be part of tomorrow's necklaces, bracelets and earrings, putting skill and creativity at the service of the planet
Electronic waste, including printed circuit boards, is now being transformed into exceptional jewelry creations.
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More than 53 million tons of electronic waste was generated worldwide in 2019, of which only 17.4% was collected and recycled. Yet this waste contains very costly materials, such as gold, copper and silver. These metals are familiar to jewelers, who are determined not to pass up on the opportunity of giving them a new lease on life.
Reducing waste is now a major challenge facing all industries, from food to fashion, beauty and technology, as all these sectors and more seek to reduce their impact on the environment and preserve the planet. It's not just about giving priority to quality over quantity, in order to extend the life of products, but also about encouraging repair and reuse. On the consumer side, this has given rise to a boom in second-hand goods, and on the business side, it has led to growing use of upcycling, giving added value to items destined for the trash. As a result, waste can now be worth its weight in gold. Sometimes literally.
Take e-waste. According to the Global E-waste Monitor 2020 report, no less than 53.6 million tons of the stuff was generated worldwide in 2019, and this could even reach 74 million tons by 2030—a record level. And while there are now plenty of solutions available to recycle all kinds of electronic items, only a tiny fraction (less than a fifth) is currently collected and recycled. This represents a real disaster for health and for the environment, but also a considerable financial loss. Because the gold, copper, platinum and silver contained in much of this waste is valued at some $57 billion, and it most often ends up buried or burned.
In view of the forecasted shortage of certain metals, including copper and gold, this approach to e-waste disposal sounds nonsensical. And this has not escaped the attention of some players in the sectors concerned—including jewelry—who are highly interested in this waste, which today represents valuable raw materials. From printed circuit boards to USB cables and plugs, yesterday's electronic waste will now be part of tomorrow's necklaces, bracelets and earrings, putting skill and creativity at the service of the planet.
Also read: How Recykal is cleaning up the mess