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Resources: Recycling as a sustainable source of raw materials

June 22, 2012

Many raw materials for industrial applications, such as certain metals and rare earth elements, are growing scarcer or more expensive. Efficient recycling methods could provide a solution.

https://p.dw.com/p/15Ji1
Image: DW

A research center in Saxony is exploring new recycling technologies. The researchers have developed a machine to separate the components of devices like laptops and mobile phones, and a chemical method for isolating lithium from old storage batteries. Their latest project involves collecting dust from the street to see if the platinum, copper and zinc it contains can be recovered.

Here you can watch the report:

Recovering Resources: Recycling as a sustainable source of raw materials