Acknowledging My Shortcomings in Embracing the Circular Economy:
I readily admit when I fall short of my aspirations for a circular economy, especially when it comes to my personal life. A prime example is the accumulation of outdated and unused electronics within my household. Among the inventory are multiple old tablets, two laptops, a handful of outdated cell phones, and even a third-generation iPod Nano hiding somewhere. The reality is, many of us have closets and junk drawers brimming with such items, representing a significant missed opportunity for the circular economy.
To grasp the true magnitude of this opportunity, I decided to visit an electronics collection facility near my residence in Minnesota. Repowered, located in Saint Paul, has been diligently processing over 40 million pounds of electronics since its establishment in 2011. Handling an average of 3 million pounds annually, Repowered accounts for approximately 5 percent of the total e-waste collected in the state. They accept all electronics with cords, excluding "white goods" like refrigerators, stoves, washers, and dryers. Beyond their e-waste processing efforts, Repowered actively advocates for policies that promote electronics recycling in the state. Moreover, they recently published a research report, co-authored with experts from Macalester College and the Iron Range Partnership for Sustainability, shedding light on the immense opportunity that exists right here in Minnesota.
During my visit and through their report, I gleaned three invaluable insights, which I would like to share.
The Magnitude of the Issue:
According to the 2020 e-waste monitoring report by the United Nations, the United States alone generates approximately 46 pounds of e-waste per person each year. Globally, the estimate reaches a staggering 53.6 million metric tons annually. Shockingly, only around 17 percent of this vast amount is properly collected, documented, and recycled worldwide. Consequently, a significant portion of the remaining 83 percent of e-waste either accumulates in households and businesses or is improperly disposed of. Although e-waste is currently smaller in quantity compared to plastic waste (which amounts to roughly 300 million metric tons per year) and textile waste (around 90 million metric tons), it is the fastest-growing waste stream worldwide, with an annual growth rate of 3 to 5 percent. This growth rate is particularly impressive when considering the rise in plastic waste (over 2 percent per year from 2010 to 2021 in the U.S.) and textiles (over 3 percent per year from 2010 to 2018 in the U.S.). What sets e-waste apart from its plastic and textile counterparts is the potential value of the materials contained within if they can be efficiently recovered. In other words, e-waste holds remarkable value.
2. The Vast Economic Potential:
To grasp the value of e-waste, let's take the example of my home state, Minnesota, which produces an estimated 266 million pounds of e-waste annually. This translates to a colossal reserve of materials worth over $2.8 billion each year, as highlighted in the aforementioned Repowered report. Among the most prevalent metals found in e-waste, constituting more than 90 percent of the weight, are iron, copper, tin, and aluminum. However, the metals with the highest value are palladium (accounting for an estimated $1.5 billion in e-waste generated by Minnesota annually), platinum (approximately $1 billion), and copper and tin (around $100 million each). The report further reveals that if 100 percent of the e-waste in Minnesota were recycled annually, it would result in:
- Recovery of 78 million pounds of valuable materials.
- Creation of over 1,700 job opportunities.
- Provision of enough silver to manufacture 440,000 solar panels.
- Supply of sufficient copper for 155,000 electric vehicles.
In essence, the economic opportunity presented by e-waste is vast, bringing along substantial environmental benefits, employment opportunities, and a domestic supply advantage.
3. The Challenging Nature of the Task:
Managing e-waste is undoubtedly a complex endeavor. Firstly, organizations like Repowered must securely destroy sensitive data to ensure data privacy. Subsequently, to maximize the value obtained from e-waste, components need to be meticulously separated for proper sorting and subsequent processing. Enhancements in this labor-intensive process of separation and sorting could be achieved if manufacturers embrace circularity and prioritize recycling in their initial product design. Implementing circular-inspired redesigns would facilitate easier upgrades, repairs, and ultimately, dismantling for recycling, benefiting the entire industry. Furthermore, such redesigns would help establish a dependable and sustainable source of materials for the future.
The Original article - https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/03/the-enormous-opportunity-of-e-waste-recycling/