The Methods for Metal Recovery during Mobile Phone Recycling

Extracting metals from e-waste is one of the commonest practices for mobile phone recycling. Electronic devices consist of various types of precious and semi-precious metals which are recovered during refurbishment to be used later for other purposes. This is a very good use of extracts from e-waste because majority of the materials do not get wasted; instead they are used to serve other purposes. Sometimes, huge chunk of metals are recovered from recycling electronic gadgets.

Procedures to Recover Metals

Different procedures are followed while extracting metals from electronic waste. In the last post we had already highlighted some of the procedures, in this one we are going to talk about a few more. The processes include:

• Municipal Incineration- Incinerating the waste by municipal burners is an effective way of recycling. The metals get diluted after being heated at high temperature inside the furnace. After the metal is diluted, it is separated individually based on its density. A number of metals are present in the electronic devices and hence it requires extreme heat to be filtered out post dilution. VOCs, SVOCs, dioxins and halogens are usually separated. It is not the safest process and there is risk involved in it. Emission of hazardous gases like hydrogen bromide takes place while burning printed circuit boards.

• Open Flame Burning- This method uses acids to dissolve and extract metals from electronic waste. Developing nations like India and China follow these methods to extract metals and export them to countries like Australia, UK and USA. Not all metals can be recovered by this process. Gold, lead, copper, iron and lead can be extracted from old mobile phones.

• Plasma Arc Gasification- Superheated and electrically charged air stream is used to separate metals in this process. E-waste accumulated in huge containers is exposed to preheated air of 13900 degree Celsius or recovery. Molten glass is produced through this process which includes huge amounts of metals along with impurities. This process is generally used for small scale e-waste and energy generation. It cannot be used for high concentration of metals.

• Bioleaching- Bacteria and fungi are used in this advanced process of metal recovery. Bacillus So, Sacchormyces Cerelisiae and Yarrowia lipolytica aresome organisms used in this method to achieve results. These organisms can segregate copper, lead, tin from printed circuit boards after shredding into smaller pieces. The bacterium C.Violaceumis capable of dissolving 14% of gold from 10 mg of e-waste. T.Thiooxidans and T.Ferrooxidans bacteria can dissolve 90% of nickel, aluminum, zinc and copper from waste. However, these can only be separated after shredding the items.

This is the last batch of processes for extracting metals from e-waste. These processes are mostly for small scale use. However, an advanced method is also provided in the list which enables responsible use of old mobile phones. All these methods are helping the entire world to deal with e-waste and save the planet.

Know the Differences between Recycling and Reusing before Trading in Corporate iPhone

Recycling and reusing have become synonymous. Majority of the people swap these two terms and think that they have similar meanings. However, in essence these terms are different and represent certain stages in the entire initiative of environmental conservation. It is important to know the difference between these 2 terms to make clear and informed choice for trading in the old device. Giving away your old device responsibly to a company recycling it and making it reusable is wise while throwing it away to the landfill is irresponsible and harmful in the long term.

Various initiatives are being taken by the government of different nations to create awareness in terms of saving the environment. The corporate fraternity is actually making lot of effort in this direction and hence they trade in corporate iPhone responsibly. Along with contributing to the movement, it is important to know the difference between recycling and reusing to avoid any confusion arising from the 2 Rs.

Reuse Preceding Recycling

Reuse precedes recycle when it comes to the stages according to US Environmental Protection Agency. These two stages are considered to be the core elements of environmentally-responsible consumer behavior. Product designers are also expected to keep these terms in mind while manufacturing products. In terms of priority also recycling comes after reusing.

The Big Difference

The terms reuse and recycle refer to entirely different processes according to Rutland Council. However, they might seem confusing if not studied properly. In one line the concepts are:

• Recycle- This process essentially refers to breaking down devices into the smallest units rather raw materials to be used in manufacturing new products. This process consumes lot of energy. This is a significant process which is growing in popularity.
• Reuse- This simply refers to using a device without really treating it in a major way. Sometimes small treatments can be done to reuse the device instead of giving it away to the land waste. It actually reduces pollution and increases the shelf life of a particular product. This refers to a more sustainable process as well.

Vices of Recycling

Recycling is not all positive. It produces some waste and also contributes to pollution. Though it has been a staple of sustainable living of late, still it produces some downsides. Huge amount of energy is required to transport, process and reassemble recyclable materials and it is quite expensive. Recycling is done for objects that are damaged beyond repair and hence transporting these use time and money.

Positive of Reuse

If any item can be reused, then it is the best option. Repairing is an important part of reusing and it increases the lifetime of objects. Reuse reduces waste and also contributes in saving water supplies and forests. The market also benefits from invasion of quality products. In fact, around 12,000 tonnes of goods were reused during 2013.

Knowing the difference between recycling and reusing can help individuals as well as big corporate houses. Clearing the concept helps in responsible disposal. You come to know whether you will recycle or reuse products. They are not synonymous and that must be known.

Sell Old Phones and Contribute to the Booming Recycling Industry

Recycling is not a process of reusing any old device. It has expanded and transformed into a booming industry. Over the last decade the recycling industry has taken enormous steps and moved forward taking giant strides. The surveys conducted by ISRI and IDC reveal that the industry is growing rapidly. The most striking revelation has been the fact that the industry had contributed around $5.2 million in the growth of US Economy in 2002. Employment in the business has been quite striking as well, as they had employed approximately 30,000 people working for it full time. Moreover, their collection process has become more efficient with 3.5 million tons of the end products. This fact has been corroborated by the Director of research at IDC, David Daoud.

Industry Progressing in Leaps and Bounds

The slogan in many countries of course being led by USA is to ‘sell old phones’.  The globe is becoming recycle-friendly and the industry of course is providing employment to a large section of people which is ever increasing. Not to mention so many people have benefitted from this. It has also started functioning like an industry in an amazingly organized manner by setting up rules and guidelines for hiring employees. Though the industry has progressed in leaps and bounds, yet only 26% of US products are recycled. This shows that the citizens must be made aware of such initiatives and also the benefits of selling old phones.

Cost Effective

10% of the products found in the landfills can be resold because they are in working condition. However, those are thrown away by people and replaced by other smarter phones. Another 18% are repaired and sold to bring them into working condition so that they can be used. The money generated by this industry if compared with other manufacturing industries, is better. In fact, employees are better paid in this industry. The potential for recycling industry is huge in manufacturing stainless steel, batteries and fence posts. In fact, it provides cost efficient alternative to the supported industries.

Every nation can see the benefits behind recycling and they are trying to implement it in their society. It is only that the citizens should be made aware of these advantages and encouraged to follow this more. It helps the economy as well as the society.