Perspectives of WPCB Recycling

Abstract

Economic, environmental, and marketability perspectives of WPCB recycling are introduced in this chapter. Comparison of primary ore mining with secondary urban mining (e-waste recycling) shows significant advantages of urban mining. Recycling is a key contributor to sustainable circular economy. Recycling, urban mining, and enhanced landfill mining close the material loop. Market for recycling technologies and eco-design guidelines for manufacturing are presented. Limitations of current e-waste/WPCB recycling technologies and emerging future development perspectives toward sustainability and zero-waste scheme are also explained in detail. Developments of new separation and extraction methods should consider increase in recovery rates and separation efficiency; better automatic control; lower time consumption, labor force, investment, and operating costs; and environmental impacts simultaneously. Developed new WPCB recycling methods should take into account industrial applicability potential, automation in pretreatment, reducing processes and reagents, and paying more attention to nonmetallic fraction. WPCBs should be regarded as important secondary material sources for achieving higher sustainability under the context of circular economy. There is almost no mature technique for ECs recycling currently.