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Metallic resources in smartphones

Author

Listed:
  • Bookhagen, B.
  • Bastian, D.
  • Buchholz, P.
  • Faulstich, M.
  • Opper, C.
  • Irrgeher, J.
  • Prohaska, T.
  • Koeberl, C.

Abstract

53 metallic elements from smartphones were investigated with regard to metal prices, metal production, and content in comparison to mined ores. The metal content of the 7.42 billion smartphone devices sold from 2012 to 2017 could theoretically maintain the global supply for 91 days for Ga, 73 days for Ta, 23 days for Pd, 14 days for Au, and 6 days for REE. The pure metal value of a single smartphone device for the investigated metals currently sums to 1.13 US $; it averaged at 1.05 US $ from 2012 to 2017 with the highest value of 1.32 US $ in 2012. The Au content is low (16.83 mg per device), yet constitutes the highest value with a current share of approximately 72% of total value for all measured metals, followed by Pd (10%). Approximately 82% of total metal value can be recycled with current standard recycling methods for Au, Cu, Pd, Pt, which only comprise 6 wt% of the total device. The printed circuit board (pcb) contains 90% of the measured Au, 98% of Cu, 99% of Pd, 86% of In, and 93% of Ta. The Au, Pd, Cu, Pt, Ta, In, Ga contents in a smartphone pcb are significantly higher than the metal content in currently mined ores. Magnets contain 96% of the measured REE and 40% of the measured Ga, with higher concentrations than ores for REE and Ga. For Co and Ge, metal content in smartphones (w/o batteries) is lower than in ores.

Suggested Citation

  • Bookhagen, B. & Bastian, D. & Buchholz, P. & Faulstich, M. & Opper, C. & Irrgeher, J. & Prohaska, T. & Koeberl, C., 2020. "Metallic resources in smartphones," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 68(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jrpoli:v:68:y:2020:i:c:s0301420720301392
    DOI: 10.1016/j.resourpol.2020.101750
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    1. Blengini, Gian Andrea & Nuss, Philip & Dewulf, Jo & Nita, Viorel & Peirò, Laura Talens & Vidal-Legaz, Beatriz & Latunussa, Cynthia & Mancini, Lucia & Blagoeva, Darina & Pennington, David & Pellegrini,, 2017. "EU methodology for critical raw materials assessment: Policy needs and proposed solutions for incremental improvements," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 12-19.
    2. Fizaine, Florian, 2013. "Byproduct production of minor metals: Threat or opportunity for the development of clean technologies? The PV sector as an illustration," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 38(3), pages 373-383.
    3. Maximilian Ueberschaar & Daniel Dariusch Jalalpoor & Nathalie Korf & Vera Susanne Rotter, 2017. "Potentials and Barriers for Tantalum Recovery from Waste Electric and Electronic Equipment," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 21(3), pages 700-714, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Fernando Morante-Carballo & Miguel Gurumendi-Noriega & Juan Cumbe-Vásquez & Lady Bravo-Montero & Paúl Carrión-Mero, 2022. "Georesources as an Alternative for Sustainable Development in COVID-19 Times—A Study Case in Ecuador," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-30, June.
    2. Kelsea A. Schumacher & Martin L. Green, 2023. "Circular Economy in a High-Tech World," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 3(2), pages 619-642, June.
    3. Souphaphone Soudachanh & Stefan Salhofer, 2025. "Unveiling Environmental Potential in Smartphone Repair Practices in Vientiane Capital, Laos," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-16, January.

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