Electronic wasteDiscarded electronic devices This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these messages) This article may require copy editing for spelling, grammar, style, cohesion, or tone. You can assist by editing it. (March 2026) (Learn how and when to remove this message) This article may be too long to read and navigate comfortably. When this tag was added, its readable prose size was ~11,000 words.
Circular economyCircular economy (CE), or circularity, is a model of resource production and consumption that involves sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing, and recycling materials and products, to extend product life cycle for as long as possible. The concept aims to tackle global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, waste, and pollution by emphasizing the design-based implementation of the three base principles of the model.
Plastic recyclingProcesses which convert waste plastic into new itemsPlastic recyclingClockwise from top left:Sorting plastic waste at a single-stream recycling centreBaled colour-sorted used bottlesRecovered HDPE ready for recyclingA watering can made from recycled bottlesPlastic recycling is the processing of plastic waste into other products. Recycling can reduce dependence on landfills, conserve resources and protect the environment from plastic pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
Mobile phone recyclingMobile phone recycling describes the waste management of mobile phones, to retrieve materials used in their manufacture. Rapid technology change, low initial cost, and planned obsolescence have resulted in a fast-growing surplus, which contributes to the increasing amount of electronic waste around the globe. Electronic waste (e-waste) is a global problem.
ElectronicsElectronics is a scientific and engineering discipline that studies and applies the principles of physics to design, create, and operate devices that manipulate electrons and other electrically charged particles.
Information technologyInformation technology (IT) is the study or use of computers, telecommunication systems and other devices to create, process, store, retrieve and transmit information. While the term is commonly used to refer to computers and computer networks, it also encompasses other information distribution technologies such as television and telephones. Information technology is an application of computer science and computer engineering.
Precious metalPrecious metals are rare, naturally occurring metallicminerals of high economic value. Precious metals, particularly the noble metals, are more corrosion resistant and less chemically reactive than most elements. They are usually ductile and have a high lustre. Historically, precious metals were important as currency but they are now regarded mainly as investment and industrial raw materials. Gold, silver, platinum, and palladium each have an ISO 4217 currency code.
European UnionThe European Union (EU) is a political and economic union of 27 member states that are located primarily in Europe. A supranational union with a total area of 4,233,255 km2 (1,634,469 sq mi) and an estimated population of just under 452 million as of 2026, its member states generated a nominal gross domestic product (GDP) of around €18.802 trillion in 2025, accounting for approximately one sixth of global economic output.
ReuseReuse is the action or practice of using an item, whether for its original purpose (conventional reuse) or to fulfill a different function (creative reuse or repurposing). It should be distinguished from recycling, which is the breaking down of used items to make raw materials for the manufacture of new products. Reuse—by taking, but not reprocessing, previously used items—helps save time, money, energy and resources.
Rare-earth elementAny of the fifteen lanthanides plus scandium and yttriumRare-earth ore(shown with a 19 mm diameter US 1 cent coin for size comparison)Refined rare-earth oxides are heavy, gritty powders usually brown or black, but can be lighter colors as shown here.Back row: gadolinium · praseodymium · ceriumMiddle row: samarium · lanthanum Front: neodymiumThe rare-earth elements (REE), also called rare-earth metals, or rare earths, are a set of 17 nearly indistinguishable lustrous silvery-white soft heavy metals.
Metal toxicityMetal toxicity or metal poisoning is toxicity affecting plants, animals, or humans due to excessive concentration of metals. At low concentrations, metals such as copper, iron, manganese, and zinc are essential nutrients obtained through the diet supporting health, but have toxicity at high exposure concentrations. Other metals having no biological roles in animals, but with potential for toxicity include arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury, and thallium.
SustainabilitySocietal goal and normative conceptThree visual representations of sustainability and its three dimensions. The left image shows sustainability as three intersecting circles. The top right is a nested approach where social and economic sustainability are contained within environmental sustainability. The bottom right shows pillars with the different components holding up sustainability.Sustainability or beingsustainable is the ability to continue over a long period of time.*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.