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E lectronic waste is increasing globally at an alarming rate. By 2030, it is estimated that the world will generate approximately 82 million tons of electronic waste per year. Rapid technological advances, shorter product lifecycles, and supply chain disruptions often lead manufac- turers to build bloated inventories of electronic products. Unfortunately, some of this inventory ends up as electronic waste when components become obsolete or surplus to forecasted require- ments, including high-value devices. Basic recycling practices can recapture valuable metals from electronic components such as gold and other high-value metals. For example, esti- 58 SMT007 MAGAZINE I JUNE 2026 mates suggest that 4,000 tons of electronic waste can generate up to 450 Kg (kilograms), or approxi- mately 1,000 pounds, of recycled gold. Pros and Cons of Electronics Recycling Of the millions of tons of electronic waste discard- ed globally each year, less than 20% of the raw materials and electronic components in these devices are recycled. Consumer electronics is a numbers game, as many manufacturers compete for market share, and most companies may not have any economic incentive to build more dura- ble devices that can last longer before they need to be replaced. BY N AS H B E L L , B EST, I N C. THE BUSINESS CASE FOR Component Reclamation K N O C K I N G D OW N T H E B O N E P I L E