As the problem of e-waste grows globally, an Indian Australian scientist has come up with a way to revolutionise the recycling of electronic waste.
Dr Veena Sahajwalla, who heads the Centre for Sustainable Materials Research and Technology (SMaRT) at the University of New South Wales has invented the world’s first microfactory that converts electronic waste to valuable materials.
Besides e-waste, other types of consumer waste such as glass, plastic and timber will also be reused for various commercial purposes.
It's hoped the recycled product will also assist the industrial sector by creating job opportunities.
Dr Sahajwalla said the e-waste microfactory, and another under development for other consumer waste types, offers a cost-effective solution to "one of the greatest environmental challenges of our age", while also delivering new job opportunities to our cities as well as rural and regional areas, too.
Commercial opportunity
“Using our green manufacturing technologies, these microfactories can transform waste where it is stockpiled and created," she said, "enabling local businesses and communities to not only tackle local waste problems but to develop a commercial opportunity from the valuable materials that are created.”
Dr Sahajwalla said her Centre has proved one can transform just about anything at the micro-level and transform waste streams into value-added products.
"For example," she said, "instead of looking at plastics as just a nuisance, we’ve shown scientifically that you can generate materials from that waste stream to create smart filaments for 3D printing."
At the launch of the microfactory at the SMaRT Centre laboratories at UNSW, NSW Minister for the Environment Gabrielle Upton said it was exciting to see technological innovations that could transform waste management and recycling.
“I am very pleased to launch the UNSW e-waste microfactory today, a New South Wales home-grown solution to the waste challenges facing communities all over the world,” Ms Upton said.
She added “It is exciting to see innovations such as this prototype microfactory and the potential they have to reduce waste and provide a boost to both the waste management and manufacturing industries in NSW.”
It's hoped the world’s first micro-factory will provide a cost-effective solution not only to Australia and India but to the whole world as well.
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