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As electronic waste continues to pile up in landfills across the globe, an Australian scientist is offering a promising solution to tackle this growing environmental crisis. Veena Sahajwalla, a materials scientist at the University of New South Wales, has made a bold statement: “We are all micro miners.†This idea becomes more realistic when you consider the millions of electronic devices we discard every year. E-waste isn’t just trash—it’s a goldmine. For instance, recycling 6,000 mobile phones can yield about 130 kilograms of copper, 3 kilograms of silver, 340 grams of gold, and 140 grams of palladium.
But this is only the beginning. According to Sahajwalla, Australia alone has nearly 25 million unused mobile phones. When you factor in discarded TVs, computers, tablets, and other electronics, the numbers are staggering. In 2014 alone, global e-waste reached 42 million tons, with an estimated $52 billion worth of valuable resources lost. The question is, why aren’t we doing something about it? Sahajwalla believes now is the time to act—not just for the environment, but for profit as well.
To address this issue, she and her team have established the Sustainable Materials Research and Technology Center (SMaRT). Their goal is to make e-waste safer and more profitable by developing small-scale solutions that replace traditional industrial smelting. These systems, known as “micro-factories,†are compact and efficient. Inside, robotic arms and automated drones work together to separate e-waste into components like glass screens, circuit boards, and plastic casings. A custom visual recognition system developed by SMaRT helps streamline this process.
These micro-factories not only extract valuable metals, ceramics, and composites but also safely dispose of hazardous materials. Many of these recovered materials have high market value and can be used in products ranging from jewelry to aerospace parts. Manufacturers are already showing interest in recycled materials. Additionally, micro-factories can melt plastics into 3D printer filaments or other high-value products. While plastics may not seem as valuable as precious metals, they still hold significant economic potential.
Currently, the SMaRT team is in the design phase, but if these micro-factories can be deployed on-site, the benefits would be enormous. By processing e-waste locally, the need for long-distance transportation is reduced, cutting down on harmful emissions. It also creates new business opportunities for small recycling companies, transforming them from waste collectors into manufacturers of high-value goods. Overall, Sahajwalla believes the innovations at SMaRT have the potential to position Australia as a leader in rethinking how e-waste is handled globally.