Re:High-Tech can’t last: there are limited essential elements
by k__ on Wednesday June 12, 2019 @08:17AM
(#20163746)
Can't recycling save us until we have good enough alternatives?
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Re:High-Tech can’t last: there are limited essential elements
by dredmorbius on Wednesday June 12, 2019 @09:44AM
(#20164506)
Recycling has a limited recovery basis. Over generations, for a recovery fraction r over n generations, remaining material is r^n.
At a 90% recovery rate, after 2 generations, 81% of the original material remains. After 10 generations, it's a smidge under 35%.
The most heavily recycled material in the U.S. is asphalt, with rates approaching 90% recovery.
The most-recycled mineral or metal is lead, with rates of 74%. At two generations, the remaining material is 55%. After 10, it's less than 5%.
https://www.usgs.gov/centers/nmic/recycling-statistics-and-i...
USGS also have numerous interesting publications on mineral usage and supplies: