About this Research Topic
Nowadays, population increases, rapid economic growth, technological innovations, living standard improvements, the shortened life span of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE), and consumer attitude changes have resulted in significant increases in the amount of waste EEE that needs to be safely managed. Electronic waste (e-waste) contains both valuable critical metals with higher metal contents than those found in primary sources/ores and hazardous materials if they are not managed properly.
E-waste is one of the most valuable secondary sources, which include waste printed circuit boards (WPCBs), lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), permeant NdFeB magnets with rare earth elements (REEs), etc. This waste is not only toxic but at the same time a rich secondary source for polymetallic and non-metallic materials. Developing novel, clean and economical technologies for recycling these types of urban mines is a significant challenge. The state-of-the-art processing of e-waste should optimize the recovery of metals/alloys and non-metals and minimize final waste volume and processing emissions.
This Research Topic deals with the outline, progress, challenges, and perspective of the recycling of secondary sources. Novel and advanced recycling technologies include pyrometallurgy, hydrometallurgy, biometallurgy, electrometallurgy, vacuum metallurgy, supercritical methods, mechanochemical activation, use of microwave, use of ultrasound, etc. Applications of the circular economy for secondary source recycling, life cycle assessment (LCA), life cycle management (LCM), green economy, and urban mining can be considered on this issue. Current, state-of-the-art technologies, best available technologies (BATs), and future research directions can also be focused on.
E-waste is one of the most valuable secondary sources, which include waste printed circuit boards (WPCBs), lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), permeant NdFeB magnets with rare earth elements (REEs), etc. This waste is not only toxic but at the same time a rich secondary source for polymetallic and non-metallic materials. Developing novel, clean and economical technologies for recycling these types of urban mines is a significant challenge. The state-of-the-art processing of e-waste should optimize the recovery of metals/alloys and non-metals and minimize final waste volume and processing emissions.
This Research Topic deals with the outline, progress, challenges, and perspective of the recycling of secondary sources. Novel and advanced recycling technologies include pyrometallurgy, hydrometallurgy, biometallurgy, electrometallurgy, vacuum metallurgy, supercritical methods, mechanochemical activation, use of microwave, use of ultrasound, etc. Applications of the circular economy for secondary source recycling, life cycle assessment (LCA), life cycle management (LCM), green economy, and urban mining can be considered on this issue. Current, state-of-the-art technologies, best available technologies (BATs), and future research directions can also be focused on.
Keywords: electronic waste, e-waste, life cycle assessment, LCA, life cycle management LCM, urban mining
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