Freeport, New York – Freeport, in EWorks in New York, dusty television, personal computer, printer and piles of Other old technology An electronic treasure is starting hunting.
“There is a value that will be there,” EWorks CEO Mark Wilkins told CBS News. “Perhaps this is a small value, but it is really our job to undergo that process and evaluate each of those components.”
Wilkins team first tests to see if electronics still work. If not, they are separated, because anything can be gold with the chip, and more than as you can think.
And it is not just gold that can be seen with your eye on circuit boards, but also minuscule pieces packed inside processors and other components.
Alirza Abbasorrad, an associate professor at Food Chemistry and component technology at Cornel University, says that there is more gold in a ton Electronic waste Compared to a ton of mined ore mining from Earth.
Abbasurrad explains that about one million used cellphones “can produce some close to 70 to 85 pounds of gold.”
But to date, the process requires harmful chemicals such as cyanide to filter it. Therefore, Abspord and his team in Cornell developed a method that they say that is more efficient, and which carries low environmental risk. The process uses an organic compound to absorb gold ions like a sponge.
“Our sponge selectively targets gold, and this is a big difference,” said Abbasorrad.
That gold can also be reused in solar panels, new electronics and possibly jewelry. Easy and cheap extraction can safely increase financial encouragement to recycle, and keep toxic metals out of landfill.
A United nations report Last year was released that in 2022, the world generated 62 million tonnes of electronic waste, such as items such as old cell phones and laptops. It marked an increase of 82% from a decade ago.
And according to Cornell, the global e-waste is expected to increase to 80 million metric tons annually by 2030.
“I think the world is very aware of it right now,” Wilkins said.
Wilkins and Evors see that growing pile as an opportunity. Established more than a decade ago, the company has created dozens of jobs for disabled employees who learn how to sort hands, sort and chronic technology.
“Our mission is to provide training, education and employment for people with disabilities,” said Wilkins. “So, about 48% of our workforces are people with special requirements.”
It is a chance to help more people, and the planet, and it is made possible by mining gadgets for sleeping.
