All posts tagged: recycling

Revitalising the battery recycling industry

Revitalising the battery recycling industry

Published by skeptic

Cirba Solutions considers the growth of the battery recycling industry, emphasising the importance of collaboration and strategic investment in establishing a stable and competitive supply of critical materials. As the battery industry continues to grow, the importance of developing a closed-loop raw material supply chain has never been more critical. The critical material processing industry that manufactures battery-grade metals for new batteries is critical to securing our supply chains, enhancing global competitiveness, and deploying advanced energy technologies. A key growth sector around the world is battery recycling. Developing the global battery recycling industry The transition from historically known battery recycling is moving into sophisticated chemical manufacturing, and that is getting less noticed in the market because capacity in the sector is still small in comparison to virgin material. However, without new avenues of critical materials, we cannot meet future demands, and that transition requires investment. The recycling industry will not prosper without an acceptable return on investment. However, global powers that control the market today are using influence to ensure that control stays strong in …

O2’s 3G switch-off may generate £13m in electronic waste

O2’s 3G switch-off may generate £13m in electronic waste

Published by skeptic

In a move set to modernise the UK’s telecommunications landscape, O2 will begin shutting down its 3G network in April 2025. While the 3G switch-off promises to improve 4G and 5G connectivity, it is also poised to leave a significant environmental footprint. New research from BusinessWaste.co.uk highlights that the transition could generate over £13m in discarded electronic waste, raising concerns about sustainability and resource recovery. Why is 3G being phased out? The primary reason for the 3G switch-off is to repurpose its bandwidth for more efficient 4G and 5G services. This will improve connectivity and reduce signal dead spots, benefiting millions of users. The UK government has set a 2033 deadline to phase out both 2G and 3G networks, with providers like Vodafone and EE already making the shift. O2’s decision, however, is particularly significant due to its large customer base and the fact that several major networks, including Tesco Mobile, GiffGaff, and Virgin Media, rely on O2’s infrastructure. The phased shutdown will begin in Durham before rolling out nationwide. The link between 3G switch-off …

Recycled aluminium for sustainable shipbuilding

Recycled aluminium for sustainable shipbuilding

Published by skeptic

Speira’s recycled aluminium alloy offers a sustainable approach to shipbuilding, helping the yachting industry reduce its environmental impact. The demand for eco-friendly solutions in yacht building is growing. Speira is, therefore, all the more pleased about the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) certification of VIA Maris Njørdal – a high-strength 5,000 series recycled aluminium alloy used in shipbuilding and the offshore industry. In collaboration with Water Revolution Foundation (WRF) and external partner Alea Design, a spin-off from the University of Modena Reggio Emilia, the alloy further developed by Speira was analysed in comparison to the previously used solution. The life cycle analysis shows the improved performance of VIA Maris Njørdal compared to VIA Maris 5083. With a 15% higher strength, the innovative reycled aluminium solution enables an up to 15% reduction in the use of materials in shipbuilding. Speira’s VIA Maris Njørdal allows up to a 15% reduction in the use of materials in shipbuilding. Credit: Arksen The LCA results are currently being used to create Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) for both VIA Maris 5083 and …

Cornell method converts electronics waste into valuable materials

Cornell method converts electronics waste into valuable materials

Published by skeptic

The ever-growing pile of electronics waste poses a significant environmental challenge, with around 50 million tons discarded annually and only 20% effectively recycled. Addressing this e-waste crisis requires innovative solutions to extract valuable resources and mitigate environmental harm. A groundbreaking method developed by researchers at Cornell University promises not only to recover gold from discarded electronics but also to repurpose it to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Why tackling e-waste is crucial The rapid advancement of technology has resulted in shorter product lifecycles and a culture of disposability, leading to the accumulation of e-waste. Improper disposal of electronics not only squanders valuable resources like gold, silver, and rare earth elements but also releases toxic substances, including lead and mercury, into the environment. Recycling electronics waste is more than just an environmental imperative – it’s an economic opportunity. Recovering precious metals reduces dependence on mining, conserves energy, and creates jobs in the recycling industry. Furthermore, addressing e-waste aligns with the principles of a circular economy, where resources are reused, and waste is minimised. The hidden wealth in …

Changing tides for tech businesses as the ESPR comes into force

Changing tides for tech businesses as the ESPR comes into force

Published by skeptic

Lars Rensing, CEO of Digital Product Passport solutions provider Protokol, discusses the EU’s Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation and how this will impact tech businesses. When we consider the modern consumer, it is no surprise that waste is becoming an increasing strain on our planet. As technology continues to advance at such a staggering rate, our desire to possess the latest gadgets is having major knock-on effects on the environment and the amount of waste we send to landfills. To focus on technology companies and their role in this story, e-waste is the most prominent issue that must be addressed. To put these issues concerning electronic waste into perspective: “e-waste remains one of the fastest-growing solid waste streams in the world… with less than a quarter of e-waste produced globally in 2022 being known to be formally recycled.” Given the staggering statistics above, it’s unsurprising that the European Union has been implementing a range of initiatives to tackle such global issues. Ultimately, with the goal of supporting greater circularity and championing more sustainable business practices. …

Creating a Global Package to Solve the Problem of Plastics

Creating a Global Package to Solve the Problem of Plastics

Published by skeptic

According to the United Nations, plastic production skyrocketed from 2 million metric tons in 1950 to about 400 million in 2024. This number is expected to triple by 2060. Only 10 percent of this plastic is currently being recycled and reused. The rest will remain in our environment for centuries, polluting the planet, from oceans to mountains, contaminating food chains and human bodies, where it risks damage to our organs and brains. In 2025, we will start putting an end to plastic pollution. Since 2022, policymakers in the United Nations, representing over 170 countries, have been negotiating a legally binding Global Plastics Treaty addressing the full lifecycle of plastics, from design to production to disposal. This treaty shares many of the mechanisms present in the 1987 Montreal Protocol, which eventually led to the phasing out of CFCs, the chemicals responsible for ozone depletion. As such, it can be as successful, despite opposition to it. The treaty was due to be finalized by the fifth and final session, in Busan, South Korea, at the end of …

Livium secures 0,000 grant for new battery recycling facility

Livium secures $850,000 grant for new battery recycling facility

Published by skeptic

Livium Ltd has secured an A$850,000 grant from the Western Australian Government to establish a battery recycling facility as part of the state’s electronic waste infrastructure funding programme. “This grant from the WA Government represents a meaningful step forward in our mission to establish a sustainable national battery recycling ecosystem,” said Livium’s CEO and Managing Director, Simon Linge. “WA’s grants seek to increase e-waste reuse, storage, collection, processing and recycling capabilities, creating jobs and supporting WA’s circular economy.” Recovering metals at the battery recycling facility The grant, awarded to Livium’s subsidiary Envirostream Australia Pty Ltd, will support the development of a WA-based battery recycling facility for collection, sorting, discharge and temporary storage. This facility will handle batteries locally before they are transported to Envirostream’s Campbellfield plant in Victoria for final processing into Mixed Metal Dust (MMD) and other recoverable metals. The WA facility is expected to significantly expand Envirostream’s capacity, strengthen its collection network, and support a broader national battery recycling strategy. Bolstering recycling infrastructure The grant is part of the WA Government’s recent $5.4m …

New study finds UK is in favour of banning single-use packaging

New study finds UK is in favour of banning single-use packaging

Published by skeptic

New research released by environmental charity City to Sea revealed the public overwhelmingly wants to see the government take action against plastic, with 73% of people stating the government should ban as much single-use packaging as possible. Over half of those surveyed (64%) also agreed that a ban on single-use plastic in dine-in settings must be implemented. This follows in the footsteps of France, where all brasseries, cafés, and multinational chains with more than 20 seats per venue must provide reusable packaging. The move has already diverted an estimated 180,000 tonnes of waste from landfill, and City to Sea has called on the government to introduce a similar ban in the UK, by launching an online petition that gathered 30,000 signatures. Solutions to reduce litter from single-use packaging A large majority (85%) of people would like to see a reduction in plastic litter in their local area, which could be largely helped by the introduction of policies such as a Deposit Return Scheme that includes glass. Existing solutions to the plastic crisis, such as refill …

BPF roadmap calls for urgent action on UK plastic waste recycling

BPF roadmap calls for urgent action on UK plastic waste recycling

Published by skeptic

A new edition of the British Plastics Federation’s (BPF) Recycling Roadmap has just been released, offering updated insights into the UK’s plastic waste recycling targets and challenges. The report, developed in collaboration with RECOUP, outlines what the UK needs to achieve by 2035 and the critical changes required to meet ambitious plastic waste recycling goals. RECOUP’s Sustainability & Circularity Manager Irina Ankudinova explained: “The BPF Recycling Roadmap provides a systemic overview of plastic recycling, highlighting opportunities and challenges in maximising plastic material circularity in the UK. “The roadmap demonstrates the potential to achieve an ambitious future vision while also drawing attention to the potential negative consequences of inaction. “We view the roadmap as a valuable tool for promoting collaboration between the government, businesses, and citizens to achieve a plastic recycling system that we all can be proud of.” Slow progress despite initial roadmap The report reveals that while the first edition of the roadmap was introduced in 2021, many of the suggested changes have yet to be implemented. Delays in government policy rollouts and challenging …

BMW partners with Redwood Materials for EV battery recycling

BMW partners with Redwood Materials for EV battery recycling

Published by skeptic

Battery recycling specialist Redwood Materials has just gained another major automaker as a client, signing a partnership with BMW of North America. Redwood will help recover and recycle end of life lithium-ion cells and their rare materials from BMW Group marques like MINI and Rolls-Royce. Today’s latest partnership announcement only helps solidify Redwood Materials’ current status as the industry leader in battery recycling. The company, founded in 2017 by Tesla co-founder and former CTO JB Straubel, has found quick success in creating a more circular economy around lithium-ion batteries and their precious materials, such as cobalt, copper, lithium, and nickel. In the past few years especially, Redwood has earned the business of several major OEMs, including Ford, Volkswagen Group, and Volvo. In turn, Redwood has recycled those brand’s batteries and resold their materials and components to companies like Panasonic and Toyota for a new life in EVs. The company is quite good at what it does, too. In 2023, it was touting 95% efficiency in a battery recycling pilot, which helped it garner huge government …