Organisers of the 2020 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo aim to produce gold, silver, and bronze medals from the precious metals found in the discarded smartphones and other electronics that make up Japan’s ‘urban mine’ of e-waste, according to a report from the Nikkei Asian Review.
It is usually the norm for Olympic host cities to procure metal for medals largely by soliciting donations from mining companies. But for Tokyo, one of the world’s most bustling technology hubs, utilising e-waste could be an ideal solution.
According to Nikkei, the gold and silver contained in the country’s discarded electronics account for 16 percent and 22 percent of global supply, respectively, making the high-tech waste ideal for creating Olympic medals.
For the 2012 London Olympics, 9.6 kilograms of gold, 1,210 kilograms of silver and 700 kilograms of copper — the primary component of bronze — were used to produce the medals awarded to athletes. In comparison, the amount of precious metals recovered from discarded devices in Japan in 2014 included 143 kilograms of gold, 1,566 kilograms of silver and 1,112 tons of copper.
E-Waste. “One of the fastest growing waste streams in developed as well as in developing countries.”
Electronic waste has become a major concern for environmental groups, with the UN describing it as “one of the world’s fastest growing waste streams” in both developed and developing countries. A 2013 report from the UN’s Step initiative projected the global volume of e-waste to increase by 33 percent by 2017, increasing the potential for toxic materials like lead, mercury, and cadmium to enter soil and water.
According to Nikkei, Japan generates approximately 650,000 tons of e-waste every year, though less than 100,000 tons are collected and much of that amount goes toward producing new electronics. Many municipalities in Japan have fallen short of the collection targets set by the Environment Ministry, but the hope is that the Olympic medal initiative could encourage more electronic recycling.
Learn more about TXO’s e-waste recycling services
As one of the world’s leading telecom network equipment recyclers, TXO Systems ensure secure, safe and ethical recycling and disposal with full Waste Electrical and Electronic (WEEE) reporting and compliance. We can come to your site and de-install the equipment, carry out any necessary data wiping and store the equipment until it’s sold or recycled with each part identified by OEM part number, serial number and hardware release. Click here to learn more about TXO’s recycling services.
Tech recycling centres in the US
Alternatively, if you are an individual based in the US who wants to dispose of your old tech, like phones or computers, check out this Technology Recycling Map to find tech recycling centres across the country.