Contact escrap.prize@nrel.gov for more information.
On March 6, 2024, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced the launch of the Electronics Scrap Recycling Advancement Prize. This three-phase competition will award up to $4 million to competitors to substantially increase the production and use of critical materials recovered from electronic scrap—or e-scrap.
E-scrap—which includes mobile phones, home appliances, medical or office equipment, an anything else powered by electricity—represents the fastest growing waste stream globally, with e-scrap generation expected to double 2014 levels by 2030.
Only 17.4% of e-scrap was collected and recycled globally in 2019, discarding 83% of e-waste and $57 billion in raw material value. However, e-scrap recovery faces numerous roadblocks, including a fragmented recycling value chain, a complex and dynamic feedstock, and a rapidly evolving end-use market.
This prize encourages innovations that enhance the recovery of critical materials along the recycling value chain from end-of-life products to reintroduction. Innovation is also needed to facilitate the integration of the separation technologies into the recycling value chain.
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