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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."

6 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 ajs318 · · Score: 4, Informative

      The plastic used for most PCB's is polyvinyl chloride
      No it isn't. PCBs are made either from glass fibre (FR4) or resin-bonded fabric (CEM1). PVC would soften too much at soldering temperatures.
      --
      Je fume. Tu fumes. Nous fûmes!
    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 Threni · · Score: 4, Funny

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

      Yes, if you ever find yourself inside a burning building, my advice to you is to get out immediately.

  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. Prediction by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Insightful

    We will be mining the landfills as soon as it becomes economically feasible. I think this will happen within a decade or so. They're full of tons of stuff we threw away before extracting all of the usefulness. It's metal-rich sludge full of useful organic matter to power the nanodigesters (or whatever we have to invent).

    Not that you shouldn't recycle your aluminum and steel cans today.