Urban mining: recovering metals from waste electronics and buildings
Urban mining is the recovery of metals and other materials from things people have thrown away, such as old electronics, cables, vehicles and buildings, in place of digging them out of the ground. The world produced 62 million tonnes of electronic waste in 2022, and less than a quarter of it was recorded as recycled.
Urban mining: key facts
| What it is | Recovering materials from waste products and buildings, not from mines |
|---|---|
| Electronic waste worldwide | 62 million tonnes in 2022, according to the Global E waste Monitor 2024 |
| Recorded as recycled | 22.3% of it |
| In the UK | The Royal Mint opened a plant in South Wales in 2024 that recovers gold from circuit boards |
| Most valuable common scrap | Copper cable and circuit boards |
What is mined, and from where?
| Source | What is recovered |
|---|---|
| Circuit boards | Gold, silver, copper and palladium |
| Cables and wiring | Copper and aluminium |
| Batteries | Lithium, cobalt, nickel and lead |
| Motors and magnets | Copper and rare earth metals |
| Vehicles | Steel, aluminium and the precious metals in catalytic converters |
| Buildings | Steel beams, copper pipe, lead and aluminium frames |
Why does urban mining matter?
A tonne of circuit boards holds far more gold and copper than a tonne of ore, and recycling metal uses much less energy than mining it. The metals in old equipment are also the ones that batteries, wind turbines and electric cars need. Recovering them at home reduces the need to import them.
What it means for a business
- Keep old equipment apart. Computers, phones, cables and batteries must not go in general waste. Much of it counts as hazardous waste.
- Sell what has a value. Copper cable, motors and clean scrap metal always have a price. See the current scrap copper prices.
- Use an authorised recycler. Ask for a waste transfer note, and for proof that data has been destroyed.
- Strip out before demolition. Metal, cable and fittings recovered from a building are worth more sorted than mixed.
Read more on metal recycling and how to sell scrap metal.
Frequently asked questions
What is urban mining?
It is the recovery of metals and other materials from discarded products, buildings and waste, in place of extracting them from the ground.
What is an example of urban mining?
Recovering gold and copper from the circuit boards in old computers and phones. Stripping copper cable and steel from a building before demolition is another.
How much electronic waste is recycled?
The Global E waste Monitor 2024 found that 62 million tonnes of electronic waste was produced worldwide in 2022, and 22.3% of it was recorded as collected and recycled.
Which metals can be recovered from electronics?
Gold, silver, copper, palladium, aluminium and tin, as well as the lithium, cobalt and nickel in batteries.
Can a business sell its old electronics?
Working equipment can be sold for reuse. Cable, motors and scrap metal can be sold to a licensed dealer. Other items need an authorised recycler.