Advancements in E-waste recycling technologies: A comprehensive overview of strategies and mechatronics integration for future development

Abstract

The world stands on the brink of an electronics waste (e-waste) revolution, fueled by a drive for sustainability and technological advancement. In 2022, an astonishing 62 billion kilograms of e-waste were generated globally, averaging 7.8 kg per person. Yet, only 22.3 % of this massive amount was responsibly recycled. Since 2010, e-waste production has surged at nearly five times the rate of collection and recycling efforts. With more electronic devices being discarded, it's crucial to harness this vast resource effectively. The article dives deep into the core of this revolution and lays out a roadmap for future progress. It tracks the evolution of e-waste recycling from its infancy to today's sophisticated methods. Numerous challenges, like identifying toxic chemicals and dwindling resources, highlight the pressing need for action. This article provides a review on the development of e-waste recycling technologies with special emphasis on the nature of mechatronic system and sensor-based automation in improving the efficiency of the recycling technology. Some of the strategies that have been discussed include the employ of cyber physical system (CPS) for real-time monitoring, robotic sorting that provides accurate sorting of materials, and sensor network for detecting risky components. Special attention is paid to such aspects as scalability and sustainability and how mechatronics can create value in accordance with circular economy and contribute to the reduction of e-waste while aiming at net-zero emissions.