RECYCLING

Driven by rapid technological turnover and consumer demand, e-waste has become the fastest-growing hazardous solid-waste stream globally.

E-waste generation is on track to rise from 62 Mt in 2022 to about 82 Mt by 2030 — a ~32% increase. However, only about 20% of e-waste is formally recycled using environmentally sound practices, while the remainder is dumped or sent to developing countries for crude processing that releases toxic pollutants. On top of this, end-of-life solar panels are also contributing to a growing landfill headache – with only 15% of solar panels being recycled.

More importantly, a range of valuable critical metals such as copper, gold, silver, silicon, gallium, and indium that could be recovered are being lost.

Lithium Universe is now working with its technology partners, Macquarie University and the University of Edinburgh, to develop a suite of cutting-edge technologies that will provide a comprehensive recycling solution to tackle these challenges…