Management and recovery of critical and strategic raw materials from E-Waste: A case study in Brazil with a focus on printed circuit boards

Abstract

Technological advances and new product development have increased demand for mineral raw materials, especially for clean technologies. Some materials are classified as 'critical' or 'strategic' due to supply risk and economic importance, with growing concerns about scarcity and supply reduction. Geopolitical and environmental aspects, particularly mining, are key factors affecting the price and supply of these materials. Recycling provides secondary raw materials and supports a circular economy, but its contribution remains small in this sector. Many critical and strategic minerals are found in waste electrical and electronic equipment (e-waste). However, countries like Brazil face obstacles in e-waste recycling, such as the need for reverse logistics, an illegal recycling market, data scarcity, and limited technology for complete recycling. The lack of primary data on e-waste production in Brazilian municipalities hampers effective waste management policies. This study evaluates the potential recovery of critical and strategic raw materials in waste printed circuit boards (WPCBs), contributing to e-waste estimates in Brazil. Using primary data from a medium-sized city, representative of most Brazilian cities, the research collected information on various everyday electronic products in Brazilian households. The results estimate that about 149.9 t WPCBs can be collected annually, with their materials processed and recovered. The recovered material would generate approximately USD 255,123.63 (BRL 1,260,361.68) in revenue, representing about 3.24 % of the annual municipal urban cleaning costs. Overall, the study demonstrates that material recovery from WPCBs can provide financial support for solid waste management, reinforcing the case for future investments in reverse logistics and recycling facilities.