Martín Muñoz Morales
Professor and researcher in the field of Chemical Engineering at the School of Agricultural Engineering, Forestry and Biotechnology at the University of Castilla-La Mancha
The FutuRaM project report has made a great effort to compile information and predict the quantification of electronic equipment (EEE) and the subsequent waste generated (WEEE) at the end of its useful life (2022-2050).
This study is particularly interesting due to the relevance of these materials and their commercial scarcity within the European Union. The three future scenarios established—common commercial scenario, recovery scenario, and circularity scenario—should make us reflect on how to avoid dramatic situations and waste of resources.
The high demand for these critical metallic materials, together with the costly recovery process and the need to develop innovative technologies for this purpose, must be understood by society so that this third scenario, with a high percentage of circularity, can be implemented.
In this way, extending the useful life of products containing these elements, together with the development of technology for their recovery, would promote a reduction in available waste and a high percentage of recovery.
The scenario presented in this report indicates the need to recover metals, especially critical ones, using sustainable technology that must be developed in an economical manner and with low environmental impact. It also highlights the need for technological development (and a research budget for this purpose) in this area and the importance of involving companies and end users in order to improve the recycling process.