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#electronicwaste — Public Fediverse posts

Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #electronicwaste, aggregated by home.social.

  1. Webinar announcement (29 September 2026) and (free) registration link:

    # Digitally enabled sustainable metals recycling for circular economies

    As demand for critical materials continues to grow, efficient and sustainable recycling processes are becoming essential to the transition towards a net zero and circular economy. In this webinar, researchers from the EPSRC-funded SUMER project will demonstrate how digital twins, predictive modelling and process optimisation are being used to transform metals separation processes, enabling more sustainable and efficient recovery of valuable resources from waste streams.

    eventbrite.com/e/2000011844265

    #DigitalTwins #CircularEconomy #ElectronicWaste #ProcessDesign #ProcessOptimization #Modelling #UniversityCollegeLondon #UCL #AcademicChatter

  2. The main visual part of this project is finished. It started during a lab reorganization: old components that still work but disappear forever once they go back in the box. So we put them on the wall instead — breadboards, opened devices, circuit boards on display for everyone to see and take if useful.

    #hackerspace #makerspace #openworkshop #MunichMakerLab #MuMaLab #Kreativquartier #Kreativlabor #DIYMunich #electronicwaste #repairculture #pcbart

  3. #ZeroWasteAotearoa - Mine #EWaste for #gold, not beautiful landscapes

    February 16, 2026

    ​"As a fast-track consent is sought for a major gold mine in #CentralOtago and another has already been granted in #Coromandel, #ZeroWaste #Aotearoa is calling upon the government to mine #ElectronicWaste, not beautiful landscapes, for gold and other precious metals.

    "E-waste contains a significant concentration of gold, with one metric tonne of electronic waste containing up to 800 times more gold than a tonne of mined ore. While precious metals (including gold, silver, copper) make up approximately 60% of the composition of some e-waste, gold specifically is highly concentrated, with a single tonne of circuit boards containing roughly 39 grams of gold.

    "#NewZealand currently generates 99,000 tonnes of e-waste every single year. Approximately 98 percent ends up in landfill or is disposed of illegally, according to the Ministry for the Environment.

    " 'At present the voluntary product stewardship scheme means that we have one of the lowest rates of e-waste recovery in the world. We are literally throwing gold away into landfills while proposing to dig it up elsewhere in some of the country’s most beautiful landscapes. It is the height of madness,' says Sue Coutts of Zero Waste Aotearoa.

    " 'Like many people across the country, we are gravely concerned about the environmental impact of gold mining. We think that there are much better ways to get these valuable resources – and ensure that they stay in circulation forever, not dumped in landfills.'

    " 'The World Gold Council says that only 7% of gold is used in tech but 27% of worldwide gold production is already from recycling. This is more than 4 times what we need for tech – there is no valid reason to dig up any more of our precious #ecosystems.'

    " '#ProductStewardship would create a pathway for a new industry: one built on resource recovery of valuable materials and a #CircularEconomy.

    "NZ company #MINTInnovation relocated to #Sydney because they could tap into flows of e-waste from extended producer responsibility schemes that collect electronic waste in #Australia .

    "They chose not to invest in NZ because there is no regulated e-waste scheme here. That’s $60m in turnover that will be dropping into the Australian economy every year instead of ours.

    "E-waste was declared a priority product in June 2020 requiring the establishment of a regulated product stewardship scheme under the #WasteMinimisationAct. Yet six years on, a mandatory scheme is not in place and no further work is being done.

    "Electronic waste, or e-waste, includes discarded electronic devices such as smartphones, computers, and televisions. E-waste is a rich source of precious metals and #RareEarth elements, including gold, #silver, #platinum, and #palladium, used in #CircuitBoards and components."

    Source:
    zerowaste.co.nz/media-statemen

    #SolarPunkSunday #NoGoldMining #EWasteRecycling #MetalsExtraction #Electronics

  4. Echoes of #Plato: #NeoLuddism — reclaiming the human in the digital age

    Making room for humanity in the march of technology

    “The machines were their enemies, for the machines were the means by which greedy masters enforced their will.” — – E.P. Thompson, The Making of the English Working Class (1963)

    by Kem-Laurin Lubin, Jan 4, 2025

    "Modern neo-Luddism draws inspiration from this historical movement, but rather than opposing all forms of #technology, it critiques the #uncritical adoption of digital tools and automation. Neo-Luddites are not anti-technology per se; instead, they advocate for a more #mindful and selective use of technology, prioritizing human #WellBeing, #EnvironmentalSustainability, and meaningful #SocialInteractions.

    "In today’s context, neo-Luddism is less about destroying machines and more about reclaiming control over how technology shapes daily life. It questions the pervasive influence of #smartphones, #SocialMedia, and constant #connectivity, encouraging moments of #disconnection to foster deeper, more authentic human experiences.

    "This philosophy underpins the growing trend of 'no-tech meetups,' where individuals come together to temporarily step away from digital distractions and reconnect in more organic, face-to-face ways [Like listening to vinyl records with a friend!]. Neo-Luddites advocate for a conscious retreat from digital dependence, emphasizing the importance of face-to-face communication and preserving human connection without the interference of screens. These gatherings, often called '#LudditeClubs' or 'analog meetups,' create spaces where participants can engage in conversations, activities, and communal experiences free from the distractions of smartphones, social media, and other digital tools.

    "The motivations behind this movement are diverse. Some individuals express concerns over privacy and the pervasive #surveillance associated with digital platforms. Some lament the growing loss of #jobs and community. Others seek to combat the social isolation and mental health challenges exacerbated by excessive screen time. #Environmental considerations also play a role, with participants mindful of the ecological impact of #ElectronicWaste and the resource demands of constant technological upgrades."

    Read more:
    medium.com/the-academic/echoes

    Archived version:
    archive.ph/6tQNO

    #Philosophy #RightToRepair #EWaste #PlannedObsolescence #LudditeClub #NeoLuddite #UseYourBrain #DigitalAge #ReadABook #SmartphoneAddiction #TechAddiction #MentalHealth #BrainHealth #DatacentersUseTooMuchElectricity