They are the ‘cell phone-eating’ bacteria. And it is also a less costly and polluting technique than the usual processes for recycling cell phones. This is a UPC project that allows the recovery of valuable metals such as gold, silver or copper. To continue with the research they need more cell phones and Revivack wants to help them.
Can you imagine a bacterium capable of separating the different materials of your cell phone? It sounds like science fiction, but it is not. The researcher Toni Dorado, professor at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya – BarcelonaTech (UPC) at the Manresa Campus, has led the development of a biotechnological process that allows the recovery of metals from electronic devices.
Every year, 40 tons of electronic waste are generated worldwide. Just look around you: cell phone, computer, tablet, refrigerator, television, console, smart watch, shaver, hairdryer… and a long etcetera. And of the 40 tons, only a quarter is recycled, with the consequent economic and environmental losses.
Shall we get down to solving it? We know it’s a big problem that can’t be solved overnight, but we can start at the beginning: Donate your cell phone to science so that the UPC can continue researching an amazing technique.
How to recycle cell phones with ‘cell phone-eating’ bacteria
It is called bioleaching and it is a simple and low-cost technique to recover metals from electronic devices. The ‘cell phone-eating’ bacteria, as Toni Dorado himself has called them, are cultivated in a laboratory under certain conditions of temperature, pH and salt concentration.
These bacteria find in the scrap metal the food they need to live and reproduce when they come into contact with the metal plates of the devices. As a result, the metals are diluted in a liquid that returns to its metallic state when in contact with steel shavings. And voila! We can now reuse the material again. Fascinating, isn’t it?
How to donate your cell phone to science
But as any developing technique needs research and in this case it means a lot of cell phones. What better use for a cell phone that will end up abandoned in a drawer or directly in the trash!
From Revivack we want to help in the collection of cell phones, and we make it easy for you to contribute to the development of this innovative project.
If you are part of a company that has mobiles that are no longer in use, you can send these mobiles to the researchers in three simple steps:
- Select where you are sending from
- Tell us how many mobiles you want to rescue
- Choose if you want to do it on your own or if you want us to provide you with the mailing label.
In addition, you will receive the Revivack certificate that certifies that your company has participated in the return of cell phones for science, being part of the circular economy.
And if you want to return your old cell phone individually, we make it just as easy for you!
Advantages of donating cell phones to science
If you’re still not sure, here are a few more reasons why old cell phones should not end up in the trash and why you can say that you have contributed to the development of the ‘cell phone-eating’ bacteria technique!
- Promoting the circular economy. By recycling cell phones, you promote a cycle of use and reuse of materials, contributing to a more sustainable and efficient economy. In this case, moreover, with a pioneering recovery project.
- Obtaining the Revivack guarantee certificate. As an entity, you will receive recognition of your participation in the recovery of disused products. The Revivack guarantee certificate, based on The Returnable Certified Product Standard RE21.10®, will be the accreditation before a society increasingly committed to waste reduction of your company’s participation in the circular economy.
As an individual donor, you can also become a Reviver! You will receive the Revivack seal, the guarantee of your participation in the recovery of circular products. If you help us spread the word, we will thank you!
- Support for scientific research. The donation of old cell phones for biotechnological recycling helps to finance and promote innovative research that seeks sustainable solutions for the recycling of electronic waste.
- Fight against climate change. Recycling cell phones allows the recovery of precious metals such as gold, silver and copper, reducing the need to extract new materials from the earth and reducing the carbon footprint associated with the manufacture of new materials.
- Reducing environmental pollution. Biotechnological recycling processes, such as bioleaching, are less polluting than traditional methods, as the emission of toxic substances is reduced.
- Energy savings. Recycling materials requires less energy than producing them from scratch, which helps to conserve energy resources and reduce the carbon footprint, contributing significantly to the fight against climate change.
- Contribution to the reduction of electronic waste. Every year, tons of electronic waste are generated and end up in landfills, polluting the environment. Recycling your cell phone is the first step to reduce this type of waste.
- Personal satisfaction. Recycling your cell phone gives you the satisfaction of knowing that you are contributing to the reduction of electronic waste.
Find out how Revivack works and how to find your best allies to participate in the win-win circular product recovery!
You may also be interested in When does an object become waste? or The living story of things.