The continuing demand for technology products, led by the constant development of mobile phones, leading to frequent upgrading is putting increasing pressure on the supply of raw materials. Careless disposal of handsets and poor recycling rates aggravate the problem.
Raw materials are getting scarcer and Europe is heavily dependent on imports to meet demand for new products. There are calls for EU countries to increase research into finding substitutes and improving recycling technologies.
NGO, the European Environmental Bureau (EEB) suggests three key priorities:-
- Reduce consumption;
- Substitute and increase resource efficiency;
- Recycle.
These steps should be taken before opting for commercial routes to make good resource shortfalls.
EEB’s comments were in response to a recent EC policy document that suggested trade agreements and domestic mining should form major planks in addressing raw materials shortages. EEB is seeking higher prioritisation of recycling and process efficiency improvements to avoid increases in Europe’s dependency on imports. Realistically, they accept that better recycling will need to be driven by legislation setting out targets for the industry. They also argue that emphasis on trade and mining will be deter research into substitution and recycling because businesses in the recycling industry would not be able to compete with companies benefiting from the lower costs of virgin extraction of raw materials.
EEB suggest that giving recycling higher priority over raw materials extraction and trade will benefit Europe economically because of its potential as a leader in recycling R&D, technology and innovation.