photo by Karl-Ludwig G. Poggemann (quapan) via Flickr.com
Italian company Bio-on has reportedly developed a new polymer that could reshape the electronics industry and reduce the environmental impact of electronic scrap.
“Life After Plastic”
A combination of biodegradable plastics, carbon nanoparticles, and grapheme nanotubes, the new polymer was designed to dissolve completely in river water within weeks. And because it is an electroconductor, it has the potential to replace the nonbiodegradable electronic chips that are currently used in smartphones, tablets, and other electronic devices.
In announcing the new development, Bio-on CEO Marco Astorri explained that “We can create materials that can be put in plants or human bodies, because they can be biodegradable. It can be paper—electroconductive plastic used for flexible and thinner devices. The world of smartphones will become thinner and they will become part of our body. This is what we’ve done. This is life after plastic.”
Minimal Environmental Impact
At present, consumer electronics are built using precious metals and other materials that cause environmental damage when left to sit in landfills—the hard plastics don’t degrade, and toxic materials can leach into the ground. That is why the proper disposal and recycling of electronic waste is so important.
But with the development of a biodegradable electroconductor, it would be possible to produce partially biodegradable devices that cut down on both environmental impact and precious metal waste.
Until that time, however, the best way to dispose of your electronic waste is by selling it to Cash for Electronic Scrap USA. Whether you have old cell phones or unwanted hard drives, we will refine and recycle them and pay you cash in return. Click here to request a free shipping label and start turning your old electronics into cash today!
