Hidden Potential in Tons of Electronic Waste

Electronic waste (e-waste) is becoming a serious environmental problem globally. According to a 2024 United Nations report, only about 12% of small electronic devices are recycled, leaving billions of pounds of items like old iPods or broken TVs discarded every year. These devices contain precious metals and hazardous chemicals that, if buried in landfills, can pollute the environment. Effective e-waste recycling not only reduces reliance on mining new resources but also mitigates the negative impacts on climate change.

Let’s explore four startups that are enhancing the efficiency of e-waste recycling:

1. Reviving the Lifecycle of Old Electronic Devices Using AI

ATRenew (AiHuiShou International) was founded in 2011 in Shanghai, China. The company specializes in the collection, recycling, and reuse of used electronic devices, particularly mobile phones. With the mission of promoting a circular economy, ATRenew provides e-commerce solutions that enable consumers to easily sell old devices, reduce e-waste, and optimize resource recycling.

E-waste has become a significant environmental issue due to the rapid proliferation of technology devices like mobile phones, computers, and smart home appliances. Millions of tons of e-waste are generated annually, containing precious metals such as gold, silver, and copper, as well as hazardous substances like lead, mercury, and cadmium. Improper disposal of e-waste can contaminate soil, water, and air while wasting valuable recyclable resources. Effective e-waste management not only minimizes environmental harm but also fosters a circular economy where old devices are recovered, recycled, and reused rather than discarded.

ATRenew offers a comprehensive solution for collecting, recycling, and reusing electronics through a combination of e-commerce platforms and an extensive procurement network. The company operates online and offline platforms that allow consumers to sell old devices conveniently via buyback stores, mobile apps, or self-service kiosks. Once collected, the devices are inspected, categorized, and processed in three main ways: refurbished for resale, dismantled for component reuse, or recycled for materials. ATRenew employs AI and big data technologies to optimize pricing and quality inspection processes, improving recovery efficiency and reducing e-waste. The company also collaborates with manufacturers and major e-commerce platforms to integrate trade-in programs, encouraging consumers to participate in the circular economy and reduce environmental impacts.

In the Vietnamese market, ATRenew could play a significant role in addressing the growing e-waste problem. With the increasing demand for technological devices, the need for collection, recycling, and reuse is becoming more urgent. ATRenew can implement its model by establishing a procurement network through stores, automated kiosks, and online platforms, making it easier for users to sell old devices. Additionally, the company could collaborate with retailers and electronics brands to launch "trade-in for new" programs, encouraging consumers to participate in the circular economy. With AI-powered pricing and quality inspection technologies, ATRenew could optimize the recycling process, reduce e-waste, and support sustainable development in Vietnam.

2. Replacing Virgin Plastics with Recycled Plastics

MBA Polymers, founded in 1992 in California, USA, focuses on recycling plastics from industrial and electronic waste to reduce dependency on virgin plastic materials. The company develops advanced technologies to recover and recycle plastics from electronic devices, automobiles, and consumer goods, contributing to pollution reduction and resource conservation.

Plastic waste from old electronics and automobiles poses severe environmental challenges, yet only a small fraction is efficiently recycled due to the complex processing requirements. If not properly handled, this waste can persist for hundreds of years, polluting soil, water, and ecosystems. Furthermore, producing virgin plastics requires oil extraction, contributing to carbon emissions. To mitigate these effects, advanced recycling solutions are needed to collect and reuse plastic waste, fostering a circular economy and protecting the environment.

MBA Polymers provides advanced plastic recycling solutions by collecting, sorting, and processing plastic waste from electronic devices, automobiles, and industrial waste. The company employs cutting-edge technologies to separate plastics from metals and other materials, followed by mechanical processes to clean, sort, and recycle plastics into high-quality materials. These recycled plastics can replace virgin plastics in the production of new products, reducing reliance on fossil resources and minimizing plastic waste in the environment. MBA Polymers also optimizes production processes to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions, contributing to a circular economy and sustainable development.

MBA Polymers could help Vietnam address the issue of industrial plastic waste with advanced recycling technology, turning plastic waste from automobiles and electronic devices into high-quality materials. This would not only reduce environmental pollution but also provide local businesses with sustainable recycled plastics, decreasing reliance on imported virgin plastics. Additionally, implementing MBA Polymers' circular economy model could boost the domestic recycling industry, create jobs, and support sustainable development.

3. Closed-Loop Recycling Technology for Lithium-Ion Batteries

Cylib, founded in 2022 in Germany, aims to develop sustainable and efficient recycling technology for lithium-ion batteries. The company focuses on recovering and reusing key materials such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel from used batteries, reducing reliance on natural resource extraction.

The increasing disposal of lithium-ion batteries contributes to environmental pollution and resource wastage. Improperly handled batteries can leak toxic chemicals, while mining lithium, cobalt, and nickel for new batteries causes significant environmental damage. Current recycling methods are inefficient, wasting resources and increasing dependence on mining. Developing advanced recycling technologies is essential to recover critical materials, reduce pollution, and foster a circular economy.

Cylib has developed a comprehensive lithium-ion battery recycling process that effectively recovers critical materials like lithium, cobalt, nickel, and graphite without causing environmental harm. Unlike traditional methods that rely heavily on harmful chemicals, Cylib uses a closed-loop recycling technology that minimizes emissions and pollution. The process starts with the collection and disassembly of used batteries, followed by environmentally friendly removal of impurities and electrolytes. The batteries are then processed using advanced material separation technology to accurately classify each component without compromising quality. Cylib's technology can recover high-purity lithium without requiring new mining processes, reducing dependence on natural resources. By optimizing recycling efficiency and minimizing environmental impacts, Cylib's solution not only addresses battery waste but also provides high-quality recycled materials for the energy industry, promoting a circular economy and reducing carbon emissions.

Cylib offers valuable lessons for Vietnam in establishing a sustainable battery recycling system. With growing demand for electric vehicles and energy storage devices, Vietnam will face a significant increase in lithium-ion battery waste. Currently, the domestic battery collection and recycling system is fragmented, relying mainly on manual methods that pollute and waste resources. Cylib demonstrates that with advanced technology, lithium, cobalt, and nickel can be effectively recovered without harming the environment. Vietnam could learn from this model to develop closed-loop recycling solutions, reduce dependence on mineral extraction, and build a circular economy in the energy sector.

4. Extracting Resources from E-Waste

Nth Cycle, founded in 2017 in the USA, provides sustainable and efficient solutions for recycling critical metals. The company focuses on recovering nickel, cobalt, and rare earth elements from e-waste and old batteries using advanced electrochemical refining technology.

Mining metals like nickel, cobalt, and rare earth elements causes significant environmental damage, while demand continues to rise due to electric vehicles and renewable energy. Current recycling methods are inefficient, wasting valuable metals from e-waste and old batteries. Additionally, reliance on new mineral extraction makes supply chains vulnerable to disruption. Advanced recycling technologies are needed to recover metals sustainably, reduce pollution, and ensure a stable supply chain.

Nth Cycle has developed advanced metal recycling technology based on electro-extraction, enabling the recovery of critical metals from e-waste and old batteries sustainably. Unlike traditional energy-intensive and polluting metallurgical processes, Nth Cycle's technology uses electricity to separate and refine metals like nickel, cobalt, and rare earth elements, significantly reducing carbon emissions and toxic waste. This flexible process can be integrated directly into existing supply chains, allowing companies to recycle metals onsite instead of relying on new mining. As a result, Nth Cycle not only minimizes environmental impact but also creates a sustainable metal supply for the clean energy and high-tech industries.

Nth Cycle could help Vietnam develop a sustainable metal recycling industry, reducing reliance on mining and limiting environmental pollution. Their electro-extraction technology allows for the recovery of nickel, cobalt, and rare earth elements from e-waste and old batteries at a low cost, reducing carbon emissions and hazardous waste. This not only supports supply chains for electric vehicles and renewable energy but also promotes a circular economy, creating opportunities for sustainable development in the domestic industry.