The production of electronic waste is increasing, but only a small percentage is recycled properly.
The 2024 edition of the Global E-Waste Monitor (GEM 2024), produced by UNITAR in collaboration with ITU, presents alarming data: global e-waste production is growing at a rate five times faster than documented collection and recycling. This phenomenon calls for profound reflection on circular economy models, waste management policies [...]
Inside a smartphone: over 30 chemical elements between resources, waste, and responsibility
Every smartphone we use every day is the result of a complex combination of chemical elements sourced from all over the world. According to various sources (including the European Chemical Society and UNEP), a single smartphone can contain more than 30 elements from the periodic table. These include: These elements are not easily recoverable and often end up in […]
How much gold is there in old iPhones?
A ton of old iPhones contains up to 300 g of gold, much more than a ton of ore. The hidden treasures in smartphones The problem of waste and e-waste How recycling works With the increase in demand for rare metals, traditional mining is becoming increasingly expensive and polluting. Recovery from waste […]