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Challenges and Opportunities for the Recovery of Critical Raw Materials from Electronic Waste: The Spanish Perspective

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  • Jorge Torrubia

    (Research Centre for Energy Resources and Consumption, CIRCE Institute, Campues Río Ebro, University of Zaragoza, CIRCE Building, Mariano Esquillor Gómez, 15, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain)

  • Alicia Valero

    (Research Centre for Energy Resources and Consumption, CIRCE Institute, Campues Río Ebro, University of Zaragoza, CIRCE Building, Mariano Esquillor Gómez, 15, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain)

  • Antonio Valero

    (Research Centre for Energy Resources and Consumption, CIRCE Institute, Campues Río Ebro, University of Zaragoza, CIRCE Building, Mariano Esquillor Gómez, 15, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain)

  • Anthony Lejuez

    (Pulsyn, 24 Rue de Clichy, 75009 Paris, France)

Abstract

The path toward energy transition requires many metals, some of which are scarce in nature or their supply is controlled by a few countries. The European and Spanish situations are particularly vulnerable because of the scarcity of crucial geological mineral resources, especially those known as critical. In this context, the recovery of metals from waste electric and electronic equipment (WEEE) presents an important opportunity to partly alleviate this situation because this region produces most of the WEEE per capita. In this study, 43 different categories of EEE placed in the Spanish market between 2016 and 2021 were assessed, considering the composition of up to 57 elements, with 34 being critical. The results show the great opportunities for urban mining: 1.4 million tons of metals valued at USD 2.43 billion, representing 80% of the mass and 25% of the price of the primary extraction in Spain during that period. In addition, 20,000 tons corresponded to critical metals. However, the short life of EEE and the low traceability and low recovery of metals, especially critical and precious (94% and 87% of their values are lost, respectively), make it necessary to overcome major challenges to develop a new industry capable of moving toward a deeper circular economy.

Suggested Citation

  • Jorge Torrubia & Alicia Valero & Antonio Valero & Anthony Lejuez, 2023. "Challenges and Opportunities for the Recovery of Critical Raw Materials from Electronic Waste: The Spanish Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-18, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:2:p:1393-:d:1032331
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ester Van der Voet & Lauran Van Oers & Miranda Verboon & Koen Kuipers, 2019. "Environmental Implications of Future Demand Scenarios for Metals: Methodology and Application to the Case of Seven Major Metals," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 23(1), pages 141-155, February.
    2. Antonio Valero & Jorge Torrubia & Miguel Ángel Anía & Alicia Torres, 2021. "Assessing Urban Metabolism through MSW Carbon Footprint and Conceptualizing Municipal-Industrial Symbiosis—The Case of Zaragoza City, Spain," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-34, November.
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