“Tech Recycling” addresses the growing global challenge of electronic waste, or e-waste, and explores the potential of recycling technologies to mitigate its harmful effects. The book highlights the alarming rate of electronics consumption and its direct impact on global waste streams, detailing how improper handling of e-waste can lead to environmental contamination due to hazardous materials like lead and mercury. It emphasizes the necessity of transitioning from a linear “take-make-dispose” model to a circular economy where e-waste becomes a valuable resource stream through effective waste management.
The book provides a comprehensive overview of the e-waste recycling process, examining various recycling technologies such as dismantling, shredding, and smelting. It also addresses the economic and policy aspects of e-waste recycling, looking at the roles of government regulations, industry initiatives, and consumer behavior in promoting responsible recycling practices.
Using case studies and data from material flow analysis, the book demonstrates the feasibility and necessity of a circular economy model for electronics, presenting a fact-based analysis of the entire e-waste recycling chain. The book unfolds in three sections, first introducing the fundamentals of e-waste, then exploring recycling technologies, and finally analyzing the economic and policy aspects. It presents information in a clear and objective manner, maintaining an optimistic tone about the potential for innovation and progress. The book is valuable for environmental scientists, policymakers, industry professionals, and environmentally conscious consumers seeking a deeper understanding of e-waste solutions.
