Projects
The large amount of e-waste produced in Australia annually goes mostly to landfill. Of the roughly one fifth that is recycled, only the metallic components are reclaimed while the potentially valuable plastic and glass components are discarded. Meanwhile, methods for recycling e-waste metals are energy and materials intensive, contributing greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. Australia urgently needs a better solution to help curb climate change and meet the country’s obligations under the Paris Agreement.
This project has researchers from the University of Sydney collaborating with industry partners Zolo and CanEnviro Innovations to develop new sustainable methods for recycling e-waste that convert more of its valuable components for reuse. They will improve the method for extracting metallic components of e-waste so that it is low in carbon emissions. Researchers will also develop sustainable methods of repurposing plastic and glass waste for use in concrete. They will explore using plastic to replace traditional aggregates, serve as fibers to enhance concrete strength and durability, and even partially substitute cement. Meanwhile, they will transform glass to replace cement and create specialty cements for low-carbon concrete.
Researchers will go beyond lab and field testing, exploring the commercial development of their recycling processes through a market analysis and by addressing critical questions around sourcing, regulation and scalability. Diverting e-waste from landfills will not only aid in the decarbonisation of construction but also significantly reduce the environmental impact of discarded e-waste, promoting a circular economy and sustainable development.
PROJECT PARTNERS