With constant advancements and upgrades, electronic devices have become obsolete at an alarming rate, resulting in a massive amount of electronic waste or e-waste ...
The Royal Mint has built a state-of-the-art plant on its site in Llantrisant, Wales, to extract gold from old circuit boards. This process, known as urban mining, involves separating the precious metal from discarded electronic components. The gold extracted from this process is then used to create jewellery and will later be used to make commemorative coins. This not only reduces the amount of e-waste, but also provides a new source of valuable material.
The process begins with the e-waste being fed into the plant and heated to remove its various components. These components are then sorted and sieved, and anything with gold in it is set aside.
The separated pieces are then sent to an on-site chemical plant where they are placed in a chemical solution to leach out the gold. This solution is then filtered, leaving behind a powder of pure gold.
The groundbreaking aspect of this process is that it uses low-energy and recyclable chemicals, making it a more sustainable and eco-friendly method compared to traditional gold recovery processes.
This is a significant step towards reducing the UK's e-waste problem. The country is the second-largest producer of tech trash per capita, with only Norway ahead of it. By keeping the waste within the UK and extracting valuable materials from it, the Royal Mint is not only contributing to the economy, but also promoting a circular economy model.
The value of the extracted gold is estimated to be around £27 million, proving that there is a treasure trove of precious metals hidden in our discarded electronics. The Royal Mint's operations director, Leighton John, states that, "Our aim is to process over 4,000 tonnes of e-waste annually. Traditionally this waste is shipped overseas, but we're keeping it in the UK and using those elements for ourselves. It's really important." By keeping the valuable materials within the country, the Royal Mint is also creating job opportunities and boosting the economy.
The Royal Mint's innovative solution to e-waste is being hailed as a game-changer in the world of sustainability. Not only does it reduce the amount of e-waste and promote a circular economy, but it also highlights the importance of responsible and sustainable practices in the tech industry. With the rapid advancement of technology, it is crucial to find ways to manage the resulting waste effectively, and the Royal Mint's plant is a step in the right direction.
It not only reduces the amount of electronic waste, but also provides a new source of valuable material. With this innovative approach, the Royal Mint is leading the charge in urban mining and setting an example for other industries to follow.
As we move towards a more sustainable future, it is essential to adopt responsible practices and find ways to turn waste into treasure.
And that can only benefit us all.
If you feel inspired to find out more about anything I've said here, do call me on 01908 774320 or leave a comment below and I'll be in touch as soon as I can.