You Could Soon Upcycle Your Old Electronics Into Gold Jewelry
Image via Shutterstock
According to the United Nation’s Global E-Waste Monitor 2020, a record 53.6 million tonnes of electronic waste was generated globally in 2019. The raw materials in waste, including metals such as iron, copper, and gold, were worth a total of US$57 billion. However, only US$10 billion can be recovered in an environmentally sound way.
As reported by ThePrint, New Zealand startup Mint Innovation has now developed a low-cost biotech process to help recover valuable metals from e-waste. Its aim is to help sustainably recycle this waste back into the economy.
Using naturally sourced microbes, the company recovers precious metals from crushed and powdered electronic waste. This e-waste can be turned into jewelry or reused in new devices.
Soon, “your old laptop might end up as a ring on a person’s finger,” said Mint Innovation CEO Will Barker. The firm’s vision is to have a biorefinery in every major city in the world. It has recently raised NZ$20 million (US$14 million) to build its first two biorefineries in Sydney, Australia and North West England. Each plant will be able to process up to 3,500 tonnes of e-waste a year.
“Ideally those metals will be sold back to local businesses, such as jewelers and manufacturers, creating a truly circular economy,” said Barker.
[via ThePrint, cover image via Shutterstock]
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