Page 17 - new final magazine big size september 2025

05 Rare Earth Elements Are Critical for Future Green Technologies, but Less than 1% of
Our Supplies come from Recycling

Rare earth elements are used in magnets, memory storage,
electric cars and buses, e-scooters, and other necessities for
a future without the air pollution that exacerbates climate
change. To keep up with increasing demand for these raw
materials, mining companies are proposing to extract them
from the deep sea — a process that causes extensive
environmental damage. Ninety-nine percent of the
elements we use to meet demand comes from extraction,
while less than one percent is recycled materials. Our recycling
system cannot create a circular economy for these
elements. Many electronics are not recycled due to challenges in handling their complex materials,
and a lack of proper recycling infrastruture in many regions worsens the situation.

06 E-Waste Contributes to Air, Water, and Soil Pollution

Improper disposal of electronic waste can release harmful
toxins into the environment, significantly contributing to
pollution. When electronics are burned or dumped in land-
fills, substances like lead, mercury, and brominated flame
retardants can leach into the air, water, and soil.
This contamination not only harms ecosystems but also poses
long-term health risks to humans, especially in communities near
e-waste processing sites. Toxins from e-waste can contaminate
air, water, and soil. Harmful chemicals like lead and
mercury can affect wildlife and ecosystems. Human health
is at risk from exposure to these toxins, leading to serious diseases like cancer and neurological
disorders.

07 Average Household Electronic Waste Produced

Despite the valuable gold, copper, silver, palladium and
other recyclable components, experts expect most mobile
phones, laptops, tablets, and other e-waste will disappear
into drawers, closets, cupboards or garages, or be tossed
into waste bins bound for landfills or incineration. And,
surprisingly, mobile phones rank 4th among small EEE
products most often hoarded by consumers. The surveys
show that of 8,775 European households in six countries
representing the diversity of the European Union – Portugal,
Netherlands, Italy, Romania and Slovenia, and separate
UK survey, the average household contains 74 e-products such as phones, tablets, laptops, electric
tools, hair dryers, toasters and other appliances (excluding lamps). Of that 74 average total e-products, 13
are being hoarded (9 of them unused but working, 4 broken).

-2025
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