Great Lakes Circular Materials Roundtable: End-Markets for E-Waste - March 16, 2021
Overview
Our sixth Great Lakes Circular Materials Roundtable was hosted in March 2021 and focused on end-markets for e-waste. Here's a quick recap, and some key takeaways and observations from our team:
Presentations were provided by these speakers:
Scott VanderKooy, President of Comprenew, speaking on electronics refurbishment and recycling
Don Haynes, Environmental Manager at Florim, USA, speaking on ceramic tile manufacturing and end-markets for CRT glass
Sam Padnos, Commodity Trader and Kari Bliss, Customer Experience & Sustainability Leader at PADNOS, speaking on end-markets for non-ferrous metals and plastic housing
Key Takeaways
Of the several materials found in modern electronics, many of them are recyclable
CRT and other glass materials found in electronics are a challenging material with some promising end-markets and industrial applications.
The lead content of CRT glass has been a challenge in the past, but recyclers can separate the low-lead panel glass from the funnel glass. The panel glass can then be used by manufacturers like Florim USA in combination with non-lead-containing materials to produce safe durable goods like ceramic tiles.
Funnel glass still lacks strong end-markets domestically but is used in roads and pavement abroad.
Most projections show CRT glass availability will remain high for at least the next 5 years.
For other sources of e-waste derived glass, advances in separating laminates from LCD glass could increase its applicability, and solar panel glass is an emerging supply with still unknown applications.
Plastic of varying densities and grades are used for housing and cases, all with their own challenges.
Residential electronic waste has a higher plastic content since it includes smaller, hand-held, and miscellaneous devices.
Due to its abundance and complicated export market, certification bodies are currently focusing on this material.
Non-ferrous and precious metals are often the highest value material that makes separation economical, but those materials are being used less and less as technology advances.
Through plant modernization and improved separation technology, electronic waste recyclers are now able to accept more varieties of devices, like PADNOS who processes 62 grades of electronics.
Electromagnetic, electromechanical, and x-ray technologies are used for metal sorting .
Density separation, compounding, extrusion, pelletizing, fillers, compatibilizers and blending are used to meet end-market customer needs for recycled plastics.
Recyclers would like to work with electronic manufacturers on the design of electronic products to ensure more effective recycling at end-of-life.
Challenges include permanent battery housing, fire retardants, and the rapid pace of new device development.
Many industry groups are creating forums to address this like the Michigan Product Stewardship Initiative.
Repair, refurbishment and reselling of electronics is critical to true material circularity and digital equity and inclusion. The end-markets for these refurbished goods and services need equal or greater attention as end-markets for e-waste commodity materials.
Action Items
The Materials Marketplace team is working directly with individuals who have opportunities to divert high volumes of electronic derived materials from landfill, and additional action items include:
E-waste recyclers, processors, and end-market providers for electronics should created wanted listings to connect with material suppliers.
E-waste generators and collectors should create available listings to connect with material recipients.
Those interested in using glass materials for road construction should check out the NextCycle MI Roads & Pathways Innovation Challenge.
Continue networking and learning about opportunities in the Great Lakes e-waste value chain by attending upcoming networking events. Register for upcoming events here.