Work

Economic Valuation of Metal Recovery from Mobile Phones in India

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This study analyses Indian export–import and domestic production data of mobile phones and smartphones to quantify historically generated e-waste from discarded devices over a 20-year period (2001–2021). An exponential time smoothing method was used to forecast the waste generation trends for 2022–2035. The metal recovery and embedded values of the metals (precious metals, base metals, and rare earth battery metals) in the PCBs and displays of mobile phones and smartphones were assessed for the same period. The findings indicate that in the PCBs, Au and Pd contribute the most, while Ag is the dominant contributor in displays of mobile phones. The potential economic value of metals varies mainly because of the fluctuating prices of metals in the international market.

Source: Minerals

DOI: 10.3390/min15030259

Authors: Pushkal Jaiswal, Shalini Verma, Akshoy Ranjan Paul, Nawshad Haque, Warren Bruckard

Institutions: Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Mineral Resources

Language: English

Topic: Recycling and Waste Management Techniques

Subfield: Waste Management and Disposal

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Responsible consumption and production

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,896