Since 2014, there has been a staggering 20% increase in global E-waste generation, necessitating urgent solutions to safeguard our environment and the well-being of individuals involved in handling E-waste.(1) Additionally, there is a strong demand for increased sustainability in the construction industry. In 2021, the construction industry accounted for 37% of process-related carbon emissions. The industry also consumes around 40% of raw materials globally.(2) Therefore, there is increasing pressure on the industry to adopt sustainable solutions.
Waste Printed Circuit Boards (WPCBs) consist of a complex blend of fiberglass, copper, epoxy resins, and diverse plastics, alongside valuable metals like gold and silver, exerting pressure on global resources during their production. Moreover, their composition includes hazardous elements like cadmium, mercury, and lead, rendering their disposal a critical concern for environmental health.
The diverse materials that make up WPCBs make them difficult to recycle, requiring specialized technologies in order to minimize the environmental impact of the process. There is also the problem of toxicity, as individuals working in recycling WPCBs must be protected from exposure to toxic materials.