Discarded electronic devices
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E-waste, that's electronic waste, is a serious problem in Australia, where we generate nearly three times as much e-waste per person as the global average.
This edition of Circular Snapshots covers a lot of ground. Mexico passed landmark circular economy legislation in January — and it deserves far more attention than it got. We also look at Circle Economy's latest report, which puts a €25.4 trillion price tag on the value destroyed every year by our linear economy, and the EU Circular Economy Act as it heads toward autumn adoption. Plus a quick run through of four shorter stories: HP mining its own e-waste to build new laptops, the UK Packaging Pact launching with 100 founding organisations, a new fashion industry initiative to scale textile-to-textile fibre recycling, and fresh data on what's really driving the secondhand boom. Show notes: Circularity Gap Report 2026 (Circle Economy): https://dashboard.circularity-gap.world/report/2026/cgr-2026-overview EU Circular Economy Act: https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/eu-circular-economy-act Mexico Enacts General Law for the Circular Economy: https://mexicobusiness.news/sustainability/news/mexico-enacts-general-law-circular-economy HP mining its own e-waste: https://www.fastcompany.com/91501080/hp-is-mining-its-own-e-waste-to-build-its-latest-laptops UK Packaging Pact launches: https://www.wrap.ngo/media-centre/press-releases/uk-packaging-pact-launches-unlock-progress-transforming-packaging Circular Fibre Collective launch: https://www.thefashionpact.org/industry-leaders-launch-the-circular-fibre-collective-to-scale-t2t-recycled-materials-by-2030/ ThredUp 2026 Resale Report: https://finance.yahoo.com/economy/articles/thredup-spots-worrisome-trend-consumer-150700654.html
We love evolving technology. But the biggest problem is where that old tech goes when the new things come in. Or, in the case of a €400,000 experience shuttering, what happens to those solutions when projects don't pan out. What can we do to help the E-Waste issue rather than hinder it? And in keeping with AV enriching lives, looking at the power of audio systems like Auracast to assist hearing-impaired users.The video version of this podcast can be found here.Join us every week as we tackle the biggest news and stories for the AV industry. We discuss important topics with a panel of experts across the field. Joining us this week is Kelly Perkins from Sound Control Technologies and Chuck Espinoza of Aurora Multimedia.Host: Tim AlbrightGuests:Kelly Perkins – Sound Control TechnologiesChuck Espinoza – Aurora MultimediaThis Week In AV:ABC – Canvas Higher Education Software Hit in CyberattackCommercial Integrator – Crestron Stopping Tariff Surcharge, but Raising PricesAV Magazine – NETGEAR Sees Major Revenue Profit in Enterprise AVZoom – Zoom Integrates with ClaudeInavate – Lightware Opens Office in LondonRoundtable Topics:Inavate – Jeff Wayne's War of the Worlds Experience To CloserAVe Pubs – Challenging E-Waste & Sustainability in AVAV Magazine – Auracast Technology To Be Utilized in London TransportSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
E-waste is our fastest-growing waste stream, expanding five times faster than we can recycle it. But it's also one of our greatest untapped opportunities. With the demand for critical minerals showing no signs of stopping, recovering materials from the billions of dollars' worth of mobile phones hibernating in our drawers is increasingly important. In this episode, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation's Danielle Holly, Executive Lead for North America, and Wen-Yu Weng, Executive Lead for Critical Minerals, join Pippa to explore how the circular economy can transform how we produce, use, and recover electronics, and the critical minerals inside them. Find out more about the Foundation's work in Critical Minerals. Sign up to the Foundation's North America newsletter. If you enjoyed this episode, then please share with your colleagues, or leave us a review or comment on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or YouTube.
This episode of the Cambridge Tech Podcast tackled one of the industry's most overlooked crises: electronic waste. We spoke with Sonia Lange Ramontja, founder of Retapp, about building a sustainable business that's as profitable as it is purposeful.Here's a sobering statistic: e-waste constitutes 70% of all toxic waste globally, yet it remains largely invisible in mainstream conversations. Sonia recognised this gap and built Retapp to address it. Retapp ran a successful pilot from July to September 2025, collecting 860 kilos of electronics across five pop-up events in collaboration with Cambridge City Council. The product is now live on both App Store and Google Play. Retapp's platform combines consumer-friendly design with intelligent automation:Users scan devices using the app (phones, laptops, toasters—anything with a plug or battery)AI identifies categories, estimates weight, and calculates resale value or eco-pointsUsers choose drop-off or collection optionsOptional data erasure certificates available for enhanced securitySustainability metrics track environmental impactRetapp also provides detailed device insights to refurbishers and recyclers through a web portal, helping them manage the deluge of electronics without overwhelming their operations. Currently fundraising their pre-seed round, Retapp is seeking investors who understand the circular economy and recognise this as a genuine business opportunity. With EU circular economy regulations tightening and extended producer responsibility (EPR) becoming mandatory, the timing couldn't be better. Listen to the full episode on the Cambridge Tech Podcast and subscribe for weekly updates on the region's most exciting founders and innovations.Headline sponsor Holden Polestar#CamTechPod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
From old cellphones and chargers to fridges and washing machines, Canadians are getting rid of more old technology than ever. We speak with two Canadian researchers who study electronic waste to find out how we should be dealing with the rise of e-waste, why it's so hard to make our technology last longer, and the unseen costs, before our favourite devices even make it into our homes.
The U.S. generates 8 million metric tons of e-waste annually, yet ships nearly 100% of its valuable circuit boards overseas for processing. Export bans and tariffs won't solve that—they'd just create stockpiles. The real fence we need to build is one that keeps material in.In this episode, Matt Bedingfield joins Logan to share how Mint Innovation is building that domestic processing capacity using biometallurgy—a method that combines chemistry with naturally occurring biological matter to extract critical metals like gold, copper, and silver from printed circuit boards. Matt draws on 16 years in metals recycling across four continents, from strategy roles at Novelis to building a $120 million copper smelter in Kentucky, and now as Global President of a company that's already partnered with HP to create closed-loop recycled copper for new EliteBook production.The conversation covers why the U.S. is 1 million tons short on copper annually, why Mint's 15-month, $40 million facility buildout challenges the traditional smelter model, how batch-level traceability lets OEMs own their supply chains, and what the Longview, Texas facility opening in 2027 means for domestic manufacturing. Matt also digs into the consumer behavior problem—aluminum cans hit 85% recycling rates in deposit states versus 15% without, yet e-waste lacks that mechanism. He breaks down why deposits work (Americans respond to financial incentive, not sustainability messaging), why even industry insiders have drawers full of old iPhones out of data privacy fear, and why the real bottleneck is infrastructure, not policy.Everything downstream—data centers, semiconductors, defense systems, grid infrastructure—starts with the metals we have the capacity to process at home.Hosted by Logan JonesMission Critical is proudly supported by:Valent → getvalent.comAbel Construction → abelconstruct.com
Interview with Michael Walshe, CEO, Metallium Ltd Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/mtm-critical-metals-asxmtm-pioneering-us-domestic-metal-recovery-breakthrough-nears-production-7146Recording date: 3rd of March 2026Metallium Ltd is advancing from technology development to commercial operations with a proprietary flash thermal heating process designed to recover high-value metals from electronic waste. The company's Houston demonstration facility represents a critical transition point, with over 25 personnel currently commissioning the site for commercial-scale operations on printed circuit boards.The facility strategy centres on direct conversion from demonstration to cash-generating commercial business, targeting initial capacity of 8,000 tons per annum with plans to double to 16,000 tons within twelve months. This approach distinguishes Metallium from development-stage projects requiring extended capital cycles before revenue generation. The company has secured binding feed stock agreements with Glencore covering one-third of initial capacity, with similar agreements pending for two additional suppliers to ensure full supply security.Metallium's competitive advantage lies in feed stock economics. Targeting approximately 200 grams per ton gold equivalent from printed circuit boards—orders of magnitude higher than conventional mining operations—the company projects operating margins between 25-35% at commercial scale. Current operations process pre-shredded PCB material containing gold, silver, palladium, tin, and copper, with approximately 50% of US-origin material currently exported to China for processing.The expansion strategy encompasses four sites across Texas, Massachusetts, Virginia, and Florida, targeting combined capacity of 80,000 tons annually. This translates to approximately 320,000 gold equivalent ounces, positioning Metallium as a potential top-ten gold producer on the Australian Securities Exchange through recycling operations rather than traditional mining.Beyond PCB processing, the company develops parallel revenue streams including gallium and germanium recovery through partnership with Indium Corporation, rare earth applications, and licensing arrangements for mining sector applications. Strategic alignment with US critical minerals priorities positions Metallium for government grant support, with applications pending at the Department of Defense and Department of Energy. Management targets a NASDAQ listing in Q3/Q4 2026 to access institutional capital and improve market positioning.Learn more: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/metallium-ltdSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com
The AI Boom Is Fuelling a New Wave of E-WasteArtificial intelligence may feel invisible, but the hardware powering it is very real - and short-lived. As companies race to deploy powerful AI servers, turnover of specialised chips and equipment is accelerating. Yet major tech firms rarely disclose AI-specific hardware figures, making it difficult to track where outdated machines end up. With less than a quarter of global e-waste recycled, the expansion of AI infrastructure could quietly add to a growing waste crisis - an angle we're reporting on for the first time. The Digiconomist, Alex de Vries-Gao, explains his latest research.Can AI Also Be Part of the Solution? Tackling Cyberbullying in Real TimeWhile AI raises environmental concerns, it's also being deployed to solve urgent social challenges. With more than one in three young people globally reporting experiences of online bullying, according to UNICEF, the need for early intervention is clear. Serbian startup CyberParent says its AI-powered app can detect signs of cyberbullying on a child's phone and alert parents in real time - aiming to stop harm before it escalates. Nemanja Stojmenovic, founder of Cyberparent is on the show.The programme is presented by Ania Lichtarowicz. SUBSCRIBE HERE: https://somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast-the-podextra-edition.pod.fan/ Production manager: Liz TuohyEditor: Ania Lichtarowicz Somewhere on Earth Productions UK Ltd. We're a UK based production company creating podcasts and branded content that bring stories, places and people into focus. We're all ex-BBC so the quality of the content is excellent and quality of the sound is amazing.
A fast-track consent is currently being sought for a major gold mine in Cromwell, Central Otago. This follows the approval of a controversial $8 billion dollar mine that received fast-track approval for the Coromandel in December. Local response has largely presented environmental concerns, and raise questions of alternative initiatives for mineral mining in Aotearoa. Producer Jasmine Gray spoke to Sue Coutts, Director of External Affairs at Zero Waste Aotearoa, about the potential of e-waste and a circular economy for mining gold and other materials.
From donkeys in the Oman desert to a kangaroo take-down at the Tour Down Under, the 2026 racing season is off to a wild start. But the real creature chaos starts when Levy tells the story of being hunted through the woods by something he can't quite explain. This week, we also have a heated discussion on whether the push for hi-viz apparel is actually a form of victim blaming that ignores the real dangers of the road. Plus, we discuss the new Garmin RearVue 820 and how its same-speed tracking effectively turns it into a high-tech drafting sensor for catching wheel-suckers. 00:00 – Intro 00:35 – Wildlife Chaos: Donkeys and Gazelles in Oman 04:25 – Wildlife Chaos: Kangaroos at the Tour Down Under 05:53 – Hazardous Animal Encounters: Dogs and Bee Stings 08:09 – Hazardous Animal Encounters: Locusts and Tarantulas 09:26 – Levy's Mystery Woods Encounter (The Bigfoot Story) 13:55 – Listener Q&A: The Cost of Campagnolo Batteries 17:41 – Listener Q&A: Electronic Drivetrains and "E-Waste" 23:53 – Listener Q&A: Lower Tier and Chinese Group Sets 29:54 – Garmin RearVue 820: The Drafting Sensor Hack 47:15 – The Ethics of Safety: Is Hi-Viz Just Victim Blaming?
Illegal e-waste is not a new issue in Malaysia, but recent events have brought it back into the headlines in a big way, from enforcement raids to high-profile investigations and new policy measures. In our previous episode, we spoke about the situation here in Malaysia and the recent developments that have brought the e-waste issue into sharp focus. In this second part of our two-part series on Illegal E-Waste in Malaysia, we take a step back and look at the bigger picture, including the global systems that drive the e-waste trade and the longer-term solutions that might help break the cycle. Helping us to unpack these and more are Mageswari Sangaralingam, the Honorary Secretary of both Sahabat Alam Malaysia and the Consumers Association of Penang (CAP), and Wong Pui Yi, a researcher with the Basel Action Network.Listen to Part 1 HERE.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Malaysia's illegal e-waste trade has been making headlines in recent weeks, from major enforcement raids and large seizures at ports to corruption investigations involving senior officials. Authorities say the scale of the problem runs into billions of ringgit, raising serious concerns about pollution, public health, and enforcement gaps. In this first of a two part series on Illegal E-Waste in Malaysia, we take a closer look at what's been happening with Wong Pui Yi, researcher with the Basel Action Network, and Mageswari Sangaralingam, the Honorary Secretary of both Sahabat Alam Malaysia and the Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) to explore these developments, and what they have revealed about the scale of the problem, and also the risks faced by communities and the environment. Listen to Part 2 HERE.Image Credit: Astralis TechnologySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Katy Jeter visits with Mark Looper of Mark's E-Waste Recycling about why properly recycling electronics is so important for the environment and our communities. Mark explains what electronic items he accepts and how everything collected is disposed of safely and responsibly. He also shares what happens to electronics after they're collected and the steps he takes to keep harmful materials out of landfills.
In today's episode of The Daily Brief, we cover 2 major stories shaping the Indian economy and global markets:00:04 Intro00:30 India–EU trade pact12:30 E-Waste to critical minerals24:45 TidbitsWe also send out a crisp and short daily newsletter for The Daily Brief. Put your email here and we'll make you smart every day: https://thedailybriefing.substack.com/Note: This content is for informational purposes only. None of the stocks, brands, or products mentioned are recommendations or endorsements.
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(3:07) – A biodegradable smart sensor to monitor sensitive goodsThis episode was brought to you by Mouser, our favorite place to get electronics parts for any project, whether it be a hobby at home or a prototype for work. Click HERE to learn more about the potential for sensing technology in cold-chain logistics. Become a founding reader of our newsletter: http://read.thenextbyte.com/ As always, you can find these and other interesting & impactful engineering articles on Wevolver.com.
Pippa Hudson speaks to Ashley du Plooy, the CEO of the non-profit organization ERA, about how to dispose of your electronic waste. Lunch with Pippa Hudson is CapeTalk’s mid-afternoon show. This 2-hour respite from hard news encourages the audience to take the time to explore, taste, read, and reflect. The show - presented by former journalist, baker and water sports enthusiast Pippa Hudson - is unashamedly lifestyle driven. Popular features include a daily profile interview #OnTheCouch at 1:10 pm. Consumer issues are in the spotlight every Wednesday while the team also unpacks all things related to health, wealth & the environment. Thank you for listening to a podcast from Lunch with Pippa Hudson Listen live on Primedia+ weekdays between 13:00 and 15:00 (SA Time) to Lunch with Pippa Hudson broadcast on CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk For more from the show, go to https://buff.ly/MdSlWEs or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/fDJWe69 Subscribe to the CapeTalk Daily and Weekly Newsletters https://buff.ly/sbvVZD5 Follow us on social media: CapeTalk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalk CapeTalk on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ CapeTalk on X: https://x.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How to create a successful circular hub for electronics that holistically integrates social and commercial aspects into the model? In this episode, we speak with Timothy Washira, Operations Manager at Close the Gap's Circular Economy Hub in Mombasa, Kenya. Close the Gap first started in Belgium in 2003 with the mission to provide high-quality pre-owned computers and bridge the digital divide. The organization started its first operations in Kenya in 2019 in Nairobi, before moving the Circular Economy Hub to a bigger, state-of-the-art facility in Mombasa in 2020. The Circular Economy Hub is the logistics backbone for Close the Gap in Kenya. Its focus is on IT Asset Disposition which involves collecting used IT devices from corporate partners in Kenya, conducting data wipe processes; refurbishing or recycling the devices, and deploying the pre-owned high quality devices to impact projects. Timothy talks about how Close the Gap is driving socio-economic transformation through for example, its incubator space and the BOOST program. Listen to hear how Close the Gap integrates commercial success with social impact, creating jobs, promoting the circular economy, and empowering over 6 million people with access to technology and skills.
This week on The Everything Reselling Podcast, we're joined by Keith - better known as "PITCO" - a man who's done what most resellers only threaten to do: he's walked away from eBay completely.Keith started out flipping electronics from return pallets, repairing what he could and stripping the rest for parts. Over time, the fees, the policies, and the never-ending changes pushed him to rethink everything. Now he's running PITCO Tech Repairs, a repair and recycling business that keeps electronic waste out of landfill and puts his skills to better use - on his own terms.We're diving into his story, his reasons for quitting the selling platforms, and how he's built a sustainable business that actually feels right for him.PITCO on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@polish_pete_ukNeed a repair?? Visit the PITCO website - https://pitco-tech-repairs.co.uk/My YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@CarBoot_Chris?sub_confirmation=1Thanks to Listing Monster AI for sponsoring Series 6 of the podcast! Use my link below and mention "Car Boot Chris" during your sign-up call to UNLOCK an EXCLUSIVE 14 day unlimited listings deal you won't find on Listing Monster's own website! - https://listingmonster.ai/book-a-demo/car-boot-chrisSend us a Message!Thanks for listening and don't forget to rate this podcast!Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@CarBoot_Chris?sub_confirmation=1Whatnot - http://whatnot.com/invite/carboot_chriseBay - https://ebay.us/hKy4sWAll Car Boot Chris Links - https://carbootchris.comListing MonsterList Faster, List More and Save Time! Exclusive 14 day unlimited listings trial with my link...Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show
How do you build a sustainable e-waste management system in Kenya? In this episode, Jane Muriithi and Thuo Lawrence from E-waste Initiative Kenya (EWIK) talk about their approach to e-waste management across Kenya. Jane describes EWIK's collection model through drop-off points and door-to-door pickups across multiple cities, their repair and refurbishment process, and the challenges of managing different materials when items can't be repaired. You'll also hear about EWIK's skills training programs for youth, including e-waste handling and ICT repair, with specific support for young mothers through onsite childcare, entrepreneurship courses, and mentorship. Thuo explains their research mapping Kenya's e-waste value chain through stakeholder interviews to inform Extended Producer Responsibility schemes. Listen to know how to build environmental and social impact through e-waste management, and to understand why partnerships necessary to scale e-waste recycling across East Africa.
A watchdog group says millions of tons of discarded US electronics is being shipped overseas every month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
News and Updates: Apple is rebranding Apple TV Plus as simply “Apple TV,” a move causing confusion with its existing app and hardware lineup. Branding updates are still pending. TP-Link achieved the first prototype Wi-Fi 8 connection, validating the 802.11bn standard focused on reliability and stability over speed, with full ratification expected by 2028. Researchers intercepted unencrypted satellite data—including calls, texts, and military communications—using $800 in equipment, exposing major cybersecurity lapses across telecom, corporate, and government networks. Windows 10 users can extend security updates for free by redeeming Microsoft Rewards points or syncing to OneDrive, or pay $30 annually for extended support. Windows 10's end-of-life could generate millions of kilograms of e-waste as older, incompatible PCs are discarded. Experts warn of environmental and legal risks without proper recycling. A fire at South Korea's National Information Resources Service destroyed 858 TB of government data, erasing eight years of work and underscoring the fragility of cloud storage. Chinese EV maker BYD saw UK sales soar 880% year-over-year, led by its Seal U SUV. The UK is now BYD's top market outside China despite trade tensions.
We use many things that need electricity. There are computers, smartphones, TVs, and many more things. When we don't use them anymore, they become e-waste.我們每天都會用到很多電子產品。電子產品被丟棄就成了電子垃圾。Click HERE for the full transcript!
On Hands-On Tech, Mikah Sargent answers a listener's question about disposing of their old iMac and the steps needed to do so. Don't forget to send in your questions for Mikah to answer during the show! hot@twit.tv Host: Mikah Sargent Download or subscribe to Hands-On Tech at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-tech Want access to the ad-free video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.
On Hands-On Tech, Mikah Sargent answers a listener's question about disposing of their old iMac and the steps needed to do so. Don't forget to send in your questions for Mikah to answer during the show! hot@twit.tv Host: Mikah Sargent Download or subscribe to Hands-On Tech at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-tech Want access to the ad-free video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.
On Hands-On Tech, Mikah Sargent answers a listener's question about disposing of their old iMac and the steps needed to do so. Don't forget to send in your questions for Mikah to answer during the show! hot@twit.tv Host: Mikah Sargent Download or subscribe to Hands-On Tech at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-tech Want access to the ad-free video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.
On Hands-On Tech, Mikah Sargent answers a listener's question about disposing of their old iMac and the steps needed to do so. Don't forget to send in your questions for Mikah to answer during the show! hot@twit.tv Host: Mikah Sargent Download or subscribe to Hands-On Tech at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-tech Want access to the ad-free video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.
On Hands-On Tech, Mikah Sargent answers a listener's question about disposing of their old iMac and the steps needed to do so. Don't forget to send in your questions for Mikah to answer during the show! hot@twit.tv Host: Mikah Sargent Download or subscribe to Hands-On Tech at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-tech Want access to the ad-free video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.
Garbologist Bel Chellingworth unpacks the complexity of e-waste, and shares the steps you can take at home.
Can circular entrepreneurship reshape Kenya's waste economy? In this episode, Richard Kainika (Kenya Association of Waste Recyclers), David Ongare (National Environment Management Authority), and Hanna Dittmeyer (AHK Services Eastern Africa Ltd) share how Kenya is building circular systems from the ground up through informal networks, selective regulation, and everyday business ingenuity. From secondhand markets and plastic recycling to extended producer responsibility and policy enforcement, Kenya's circular economy is already in motion. But challenges remain, especially in waste infrastructure and electronic waste management. Recorded live in Kenya, this episode opens the Circularity.fm series on circularity in Kenya, spotlighting how local actors are turning waste into value and shifting systems from the bottom up.
On today's show, we hear about how nearly a quarter of all permanent staff members with the National Park Service were cut in 2025. Also, a local artist is transforming old electronics from Cox into public art. Plus, cooking for seven different Arkansas governors.
New Zealand risks missing out on the "land grab" for e-waste and is paying the price as it sends phones, laptops and batteries offshoreA Kiwi tech firm's breakthrough solution for recycling EV batteries goes offshore, where countries are scrambling to keep hold of their valuable e-waste metals.Guests:Will Barker - Chief executive and co-founder of MintSue Coutts - Director of external affairs at Zero Waste AotearoaDave Young - Head of research and development at MintLearn more about Mint's deal with British car maker Jaguar Land Rover and its partners, the University of Warwick and LiBatt Recycling. Follow their progress here, as they work to recover critical metals such as lithium, nickel and cobalt from old batteries.Find The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Refurbi is transforming Latin America's massive e-waste problem into a profitable circular economy solution, generating $7.5M in annual revenue while making quality smartphones accessible to millions. With 1.3 million tons of electronic waste piling up annually and only 3% properly managed, co-founders Sebastian and Sylvia have built the region's most trusted refurbished device ecosystem.Listen to Sebastian share how they've achieved profitability from day one through data-driven operations, secured exclusive partnerships with Apple and Samsung, and created a business model so efficient they sell devices before paying suppliers. From their high-tech warehouse in Bogota to their expansion into Mexico's 30-40 million device market, discover how Refurbi is capturing the proven global refurbished smartphone opportunity that represents 20% of sales in developed markets but remains largely untapped in Latin America.At 39:35 sustainability expert Carolina Ocampo-Maya joins for the Investor Talk segment, sharing insights from her facility visit and why this circular economy model represents both strong returns and measurable environmental impact.Hosted by Maaike Doyer, founder of Epic Angels.
Can robotics make large-scale disassembly a reality for the circular economy? Automated disassembly is emerging as a key enabler for circular strategies such as repair, remanufacturing, and high-quality recycling. But turning this vision into scalable practice requires technical integration, economic viability, and alignment across industries. In this episode, speakers from robotics, recycling, and research explore how automation technologies can extend product lifecycles, reduce waste, and unlock new efficiencies in resource use. Recorded live at the CIRCULAR REPUBLIC FESTIVAL 2025, the panel brought together Fridolin Franke from SOLAR MATERIALS, Rebecca Zhu from Circu Li-ion, Tobias Ortmaier from voraus robotik, and José Saenz from Fraunhofer IFF to discuss the role of robotics in enabling circularity through disassembly. This episode is part of our CIRCULAR REPUBLIC FESTIVAL 2025 series, created in partnership with CIRCULAR REPUBLIC to bring you the key debates and insights from this year's festival.
In this episode we're bringing together two top-of-mind topics: the scramble for critical minerals, and how circular economy strategies can help us secure and stabilise their supply. Humans have been mining metals and minerals for thousands of years. Today, critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, nickel, copper, and rare earth elements are essential for not only renewable energy products like wind turbines and EV batteries but the infrastructure and systems needed to power them. As part of our Circling Back series, over the next five weeks, we're revisiting some key conversations from our archive that feel especially relevant right now. Join us in Episode 189 to hear:From Ke Wang at the World Resources Institute about why the circular economy is central in the energy transitionHow economics and competitiveness are driving that transition, and examples of where that is already happening in practiceAs the rollout of renewable energy scales at pace, e-waste continues to increase, and the first generation of EV batteries and wind turbines start to reach the end of their lives, we have a window of opportunity to build a better system, based on the principles of a circular economy.Find out more about the Ellen MacArthur Foundation's work on Critical MineralsThis conversation originally featured in episode 174: Material security in a circular economy, published in April 2025.If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or a comment on Spotify or YouTube. Your support helps us to spread the word about the circular economy.
In this episode of Hashtag Trending, host Jim Love discusses Staples Canada's new trade-in program aimed at reducing e-waste while easing financial burdens for back-to-school shoppers. In the AI domain, TNG Technology Consulting has unveiled a groundbreaking model substantially faster and more cost-effective than its predecessors. An international research team brings Quantum computing closer to practical use with the launch of QNodeOS, the world's first operating system for quantum computers. The episode also examines conflicting viewpoints on the potential job market impact of AI, with statements from industry leaders Sam Altman and Dario Amodei highlighting a looming white-collar job crisis. 00:00 Introduction and Overview 00:24 Staples Canada's E-Waste Solution 03:22 German AI Breakthrough: TNG's Deep Seek TNGR 08:09 Quantum Computing's First Operating System 12:26 The AI Job Crisis: Perspectives and Predictions 18:34 Conclusion and Sign-Off
From the archive, gold is getting pulled out of old electronics. Recently, it seems like the process may get refined even more- leading to safer, cleaner gold extraction. Neat!Read more about the new process here ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
The Southeast Asian country has witnessed a huge influx of electrical and electronic waste in recent years. Old mobile phones, computers, circuit boards and fridges are being shipped to the country and processed, often in unlicensed industrial sites. We explore why this has happened, who is behind it, and find out what the Thai government is doing about it. We join the Thai industry ministry on a raid of an unlicensed Chinese-owned recycling plant, and talk to a Thai farmer who says his cassava crop has been blighted by pollutants from an unlicensed smelter. We also hear from Thais about their own electronics recycling habits. If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.ukPresented and produced by Gideon Long Additional reporting and translation by Wilawan Watcharasakwej in Bangkok (Image: Officials look at a mound of e-waste at a site near Bangkok, Thailand.)
The Personal Computer Show Wednesday June 11th 2025 www.PRN.live Streaming on the Internet 6:00 PM Eastern Time In the News • TSA Warns Smartphone Users • FCC Renewing Call to Treat YouTubeTV like a True Competitor to Cable Television • The Digital Soapbox for Free Speech and the First Amendment • OpenAI Wants to Get College Kids Hooked on AI ITPro Series with Benjamin Rockwell • The Next Level of Interviewing May be Worse Than Ever Before From the Tech Corner • Has Microsoft Been a Responsible Corporate Citizen When it Comes to E-Waste? • Do You Need to Unplug Your Computer Equipment When on Vacation? Technology Chatter - (Benjamin Rockwell, Mark Brownstein and Marty Winston) • User Experiences and Interfaces, Ricoh 6500 Lumen 4k Projector
In the June 2025 episode, we talk about: ⟶ Fast good news from the past month. ⟶ An ugly update on e-waste & actionable steps you can take to combat e-waste. ⟶ An in-depth look at the ongoing Greenpeace lawsuit, anti-protest laws, and the implications for freedom of speech. ⟶ Resources for knowing your protest rights.⌛⌛TIMESTAMPS⟶ 01:51: Fast Good News⟶ 05:43: Ugly Update on E-Waste: Thailand seizures & UN report on rising e-waste.⟶ 08:00: What To Do About E-Waste⟶ 11:54: Greenpeace Defamation Lawsuit Background⟶ 15:05: Greenpeace Fights Back: The SLAPP lawsuit⟶ 17:45: Freedom of Speech & Anti-Protest Laws⟶ 25:32: Know Your Rights—ARTICLES FEATURED IN THIS EPISODE:Sign the Deep Sea Mining Protest:https://www.change.org/p/say-no-to-deep-sea-mining/u/33518118change.org/nodeepseaminingTrack anti-protest laws: https://www.icnl.org/usprotestlawtracker/Know your rights: https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/protesters-rightsMonitor E-Waste: https://ewastemonitor.info/the-global-e-waste-monitor-2024/Thailand imports e-waste: https://apnews.com/article/thailand-illegal-import-electronic-waste-bangkok-port-994ef5e8c3776e9b77580d9954eebaebHotel Tax: https://www.npr.org/2025/04/30/nx-s1-5382139/hawaii-hotel-tax-climate-changeGenetics: https://www.royalgazette.com/environment/news/article/20250522/groundbreaking-gene-research-to-help-restore-lost-habitat/Learn About the GreenPeace Lawsuit:↳ https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/19/greenpeace-lawsuit-energy-transfer-dakota-pipeline↳ https://ground.news/article/jury-finds-greenpeace-must-pay-hundreds-of-millions-in-case-over-dakota-access-protest-activities↳ https://climatecasechart.com/case/energy-transfer-lp-v-greenpeace-international/↳ https://www.greenpeace.org/usa/verdict/↳ https://apnews.com/article/dakota-access-greenpeace-energy-transfer-lawsuit-a449e34e61f7114e97b132fdd27815e8↳https://law.arizona.edu/sites/default/files/Indigenous%20Resistance%20to%20the%20Dakota%20Access%20Pipeline%20Criminalization%20of%20Dissent%20and%20Suppression%20of%20Protest.pdf~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dandelion Branding is a digital marketing agency that specializes in telling sustainability stories.Here's where you can find Dandelion: Our Website: https://dandelionbranding.com/helloInstagram: https://instagram.com/dandelion_brandingLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dandelion-branding/
John Maytham is joined by writer, technologist and professor Steven Boykey Sidley to discuss the growing environmental concerns tied to the rapid advancement of generative AI. From electricity demand and water use to the carbon cost of training large-scale models, they explore the hidden ecological footprint behind artificial intelligence. Presenter John Maytham is an actor and author-turned-talk radio veteran and seasoned journalist. His show serves a round-up of local and international news coupled with the latest in business, sport, traffic and weather. The host’s eclectic interests mean the program often surprises the audience with intriguing book reviews and inspiring interviews profiling artists. A daily highlight is Rapid Fire, just after 5:30pm. CapeTalk fans call in, to stump the presenter with their general knowledge questions. Another firm favourite is the humorous Thursday crossing with award-winning journalist Rebecca Davis, called “Plan B”. Thank you for listening to a podcast from Afternoon Drive with John Maytham Listen live on Primedia+ weekdays from 15:00 and 18:00 (SA Time) to Afternoon Drive with John Maytham broadcast on CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk For more from the show go to https://buff.ly/BSFy4Cn or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/n8nWt4x Subscribe to the CapeTalk Daily and Weekly Newsletters https://buff.ly/sbvVZD5 Follow us on social media: CapeTalk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalk CapeTalk on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ CapeTalk on X: https://x.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
John Maytham is joined by Tech Journalist and Editor and Publisher of Stuff, Toby Shapshak, to unpack the hidden risks of discarding or selling old electronic devices. Despite factory resets, studies show that personal data — including passports, medical records, and passwords — often remains recoverable on second-hand electronics. Follow us on:CapeTalk on Facebook: www.facebook.com/CapeTalkCapeTalk on TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@capetalkCapeTalk on Instagram: www.instagram.com/capetalkzaCapeTalk on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567CapeTalk on X: www.x.com/CapeTalkSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Already this year Auckland Council has had at least 13 rubbish truck fires caused by discarded batteries. They over heat and spark up the other rubbish, costing the council up to $5000 a truck fire. An audit of kerbside bins in 2023 showed 71 percent of them contained electronic waste. Echo Chief Executive Officer Patrick Moynahan spoke to Lisa Owen.
Critical minerals are key to green technologies, but their supply is dominated by a small number of countries. Recycling could, in theory, open up a new source of supply of these minerals—but that too is dominated by a small number of countries. Rebecca and Joe talk to Megan O'Connor, CEO and co-founder of Nth Cycle. The start-up's Oyster system has the potential to transform the recycling business. Visit us at ourindustriallife.com
Send me a messageIn this episode, I sit down once again with Kenny McGee, CEO of Component Sense, to delve into one of the most confronting aspects of global supply chains — electronic waste, or e-waste.Kenny recently returned from Agbogbloshie, Ghana, a site once dubbed the world's largest e-waste dump. What he found there was far more complex than expected: a vast, informal economy built around salvaging, repairing, and repurposing our discarded electronics. From TVs and fridges to circuit boards and copper wiring, items we think are being “recycled” are often ending up in the hands of workers — many of them teenagers — who burn, strip, and break devices using bare hands and basic tools.We talk through the journey of a used TV from a UK household to the streets of Accra, explore the supply chains that enable illegal exports of e-waste, and reflect on the human and environmental costs tied to our throwaway tech culture. Kenny also shares the hopeful side — stories of resilience, resourcefulness, and local charity-led education and healthcare initiatives.Key takeaways:Why the second-hand trade isn't inherently bad — but needs regulation.How plastic and clothing waste are compounding the e-waste problem.The role manufacturers must play in designing for repair and reuse.Why abrupt changes to e-waste flows could hurt the very people we aim to hElevate your brand with the ‘Sustainable Supply Chain' podcast, the voice of supply chain sustainability.Last year, this podcast's episodes were downloaded over 113,000 times by senior supply chain executives around the world.Become a sponsor. Lead the conversation.Contact me for sponsorship opportunities and turn downloads into dialogues.Act today. Influence the future.Drunk AgileDan Vacanti and Prateek Singh drink whisk(e)y and discuss various facets of agile...Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showPodcast supportersI'd like to sincerely thank this podcast's generous supporters: Lorcan Sheehan Olivier Brusle Alicia Farag Kieran Ognev And remember you too can Support the Podcast - it is really easy and hugely important as it will enable me to continue to create more excellent episodes like this one.Podcast Sponsorship Opportunities:If you/your organisation is interested in sponsoring this podcast - I have several options available. Let's talk!FinallyIf you have any comments/suggestions or questions for the podcast - feel free to just send me a direct message on LinkedIn, or send me a text message using this link.If you liked this show, please don't forget to rate and/or review it. It makes a big difference to help new people discover it. Thanks for listening.
On this episode of Hands-On Mac, Mikah answers questions about what to do with old electronics, extracting photos out of downloaded files and maintaining the original photo names, how to properly manage your phone's battery, and a question from a listen about the best way to manage their router setup! Kelli came across some old electronics her father had years ago! She thinks they could be worth something but wonders if she should recycle them instead. Ray has their iPhone wirelessly charging at night while on Do Not Disturb. However, it randomly makes a sound at night! How can he get his phone to stop making that noise? Sean just downloaded their Google photos to back them up on an external drive. How can he keep the photos' original names when he extracts the files? Dan wonders how to manage their phone's battery life best when they keep it plugged in most of the time. Alan has three routers throughout his household in his home network. When he goes to different points in the house, he has to change the SSID to the router closest to where he is. Is there a simpler way of doing this before going to a Mesh router setup? Don't forget to send in your questions for Mikah to answer during the show! hot@twit.tv Host: Mikah Sargent Download or subscribe to Hands-On Tech at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-tech Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsor: cachefly.com/twit