Every single electronic device we buy, be it a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or fitness band, contains small amounts of a range of metals. Predominantly you'll find gold, silver, copper, platinum, and tungsten. Getting those metals back out of the devices after they have been discarded requires a well organized recycling program. The alternative is the videos we've all seen of e-waste being burned in the poorer countries of the world where it has been dumped.
As hinted at in August last year, and as a way of promoting sustainability, the Tokyo Organizing Committee charged with preparing for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics decided the medals athletes will be awarded during the games should be made using recycled metals. With that in mind, a call has gone out across Japan for consumers to donate their old electronic devices for recycling.
In total, 5,000 medals need to be produced to cater for both Olympic and Paralympic athletes. To achieve that, eight tons of metal needs to be collected, which after processing will create two tons of medals. More specifically, 40kg of gold, 4,920kg of silver, and 2,944kg of bronze is required.
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With electronic devices each containing grams of metals, achieving eight tons of usable metal is a big ask. NTT Docomo and Japan Environmental Sanitation Center (JSEC) will partner in helping to achieve that total.
From April this year, collection boxes will be installed throughout Japan at over 2,400 NTT Docomo stores and public offices across the country. However, I suspect the Olympic organizers may end up looking further afield to reach the eight ton total. Other Japanese manufacturers and retailers may be able to help by also collecting and donating old devices as consumers trade-in and upgrade.
Hopefully the collection boxes prove popular and end up remaining in place beyond the 2020 Olympics to continue collecting old gadgets. A dedicated recycling center will need to be setup to reclaim the metal, and just like the collection boxes, hopefully that remains to continue recycling long after the games have finished.