• ‘Urban mine’: Collaborative method unlocks critical minerals from electronic waste UH model turns U.S. • e‑waste into a profitable source of critical minerals with a collaborative supply chain. • E‑waste in the United States may soon be more than a growing environmental problem. • Researchers at the University of Houston have developed a new supply‑chain model that could make recycling electronics into critical minerals profitable, transforming discarded devices into a stable domestic source of materials like gold, lithium, and cobalt. • E‑waste is the fastest‑growing solid waste stream in the world and includes everything from old phones and tablets to batteries and circuit boards. • When tucked away in drawers or sent to landfills, these devices create hazards like leaking toxins and fire risks from aging batteries.

Article Summaries:

  • Researchers at the University of Houston have devised a collaborative supply‑chain model that could make U.S. electronic waste (e‑waste) a profitable source of critical minerals such as gold, lithium, and cobalt. The model maps the fragmented e‑waste ecosystem-manufacturers, collectors, processors, and recovery firms-and introduces a cost‑sharing framework that aligns incentives across the chain. By shifting from competition to partnership, the approach aims to make recycling financially sustainable and keep valuable materials within the domestic supply chain. If successful, the system could reduce environmental hazards from discarded electronics while bolstering national security and meeting growing demand for battery‑grade materials.

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