Pulling Gold out of E-Waste Suddenly Becomes Super-Profitable

4 March 2024

Researchers from ETH Zurich have developed an innovative and cost-effective method for extracting high-purity gold from electronic waste (e-waste), yielding a return of $50 for every $1 invested in the process. Surprisingly, the breakthrough substance used for gold extraction was discovered in cheesemaking. This new technique not only presents a sustainable approach to recycling e-waste but also demonstrates significant commercial potential. The study outlines that, after accounting for the costs associated with sourcing materials and the energy required for extraction, the cost of recovering 1 gram of gold from e-waste is 50 times less than the market value of the gold obtained. This discovery could revolutionize the way we recycle precious metals from discarded electronics.

Need help?

Please use the contact form to get support.