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New Technique for Recycling PCBs

Posted by samzenpus on from the use-and-use-again dept.

MattSparkes writes "PCBs from discarded computers, cellphones and other devices could be recycled less harmfully using a technique developed by researchers in China. Unlike current methods, it can be used to reclaim metals such as copper without releasing toxic fumes into the air. Only a small numbers of PCBs are currently recycled."

8 of 77 comments (clear)

  1. Bulding materials? by TubeSteak · · Score: 4, Interesting

    They want to compact & use the non-metallic parts as building materials.

    This raises the question: Will there still be toxins in these compacted objects? And will they come out when the structure is eventually demolished?

    Even concrete has all kinds of nasty that leeches out when you turn it into a pile of rubble.

    --
    [Fuck Beta]
    o0t!
    1. Re:Bulding materials? by PC-PHIX · · Score: 2, Interesting

      However, if you burn PVC plastic, it gets converted into some particularly nasty dioxins and furans which are dangerously carcinogenic.

      Thus, if you happen to be inside one of these buildings when they catch fire, you are really screwed!

      --
      Optimist: The thumb drive is half empty! Pessimist: The thumb drive is half full...
    2. Re:Bulding materials? by dido · · Score: 4, Interesting

      Right, now that I've looked it up, but the issues are still the same it would seem. Burning these types of boards to get at the metal is still something that you really don't want to do. They typically use brominated flame retardants on these boards, which while they are generally inert and non-poisonous in their normal state, when burned they also produce deadly carcinogenic fumes, especially in the presence of copper. That makes that ingenious technique described in the article all the more useful: it separates the metallic and non-metallic components without burning.

      --
      Qu'on me donne six lignes écrites de la main du plus honnête homme, j'y trouverai de quoi le faire pendre.
    3. Re:Bulding materials? by ajs318 · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Well, the whole point is they're designed not to burn! Under fault conditions, electronic apparatus usually overheats; and the last thing you want it bursting into flames. PCB board, when it gets hot, generally just tends to smoulder a bit and cut off its own air supply. Usually, it's the overheating component that fails first; and once it goes open-circuit, the heat source is removed and the unpleasant fumes stop.

      --
      Je fume. Tu fumes. Nous fûmes!
    4. Re:Bulding materials? by digitalchinky · · Score: 3, Interesting

      In the Philippines they really only burn insulated wire, car tyres, and anything with springs like beds and chairs. Electronics rarely make it to the dump sites these days, too much value to be thrown away, they usually end up in repair shops, stripped for spares. (I do a lot of work for a charity here on Smokey Mountain dump site in Manila)

      You are right about the garbage falls, though it's usually the land slides that take out 200 people or more at a time.

  2. That's better. by Fantastic+Lad · · Score: 4, Interesting
    I was getting tired of all the fear-mongering with regard to China. It's nice to see the editors pull up something positive about our neighbors to the East.


    -FL

  3. Recycling by wvmarle · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Only a small numbers of PCBs are currently recycled.
    Large quantities are being shipped to China for stripping of components and recovery of the copper. Especially now the copper price is so high. So I don't believe just a small number is being recycled - in the USA maybe, but not world wide!

    Wouter.

  4. Pasta PCB by iangoldby · · Score: 2, Interesting

    This reminds me of a story I heard about printing circuits on a sheet of pasta.

    Pasta PCB

    Once the protective coating is removed, the board quickly biodegrades, and the ICs and metal coatings can be easily reclaimed.

    And here's a Pretty pasta picture