The collected electronic scrap is processed in a multi-stage recycling process chain. A melting furnace separates the no longer needed circuit boards made of glass fibre and plastic from metals that have a higher melting point. The metal cocktail now consists of aluminium, copper, gold, tin and many other materials. A TBRC melting aggregate further heats the slag in order to remove impurities.
Subsequently, the metals are processed into powder and chemically separated from each other in caustic tanks: Copper and nickel are able to be separated by electrolysis. Silver, gold, platinum and other precious metals remain behind and are separated from each other by chemical reactions with chlorine or electrolysis in order to obtain pure metals.
Environmental protection: Recycling conserves resources
Admittedly, the separation of metals from plastic and the subsequent processing requires a considerable amount of energy. Nonetheless, the process is much more environmentally friendly than the production of new metals from ores. Approximately one third of the annual gold production comes from newly melted scrap gold. The other two thirds go through a complex process: The ore must be mined, transported and then the rock must be separated from the pure gold. The separation is carried out either chemically on the basis of toxic mercury or cyanide lye. Alternatively, the ore is heated with borax, which also requires large amounts of energy. Recycling thus offers a comparatively gentle way of obtaining the precious metal required.
There are also no advantages in not recycling them properly: Electronic parts, which are no longer needed, end up illegally in Africa. Controlled processes give way here to uncontrolled burning of all delivered devices - including plastic housings and cables. Burning not only poisons the air but also the soil. Only about 60 per cent of the remaining metal is recycled properly.
Thus, there is actually no way around a "real" recycling: "Out of sight, out of mind" has long since stopped being a motto according to which business should be conducted. Instead, targeted reprocessing is financially feasible and in many places is implemented in an environmentally friendly manner. Targeted recycling of electronic scrap, which is stipulated by law, helps to set up an efficient cycle for all rare materials in order not to further pollute the environment.