The E-Waste Column no. 155
- Jul 2, 2025
- 3 min read
Today's column is a small ode to researchers and entrepreneurs working to push the circular economy and the energy transition forward.
🌱 Endolith
Endolith uses microbes to extract more copper from low-grade sulfide ores. They also use AI-optimised monitoring of the microbes to boost recovery of materials. This can increase the yield of existing mines by at least 10%, while reducing the need to use leaching acids and other harmful chemicals. The fact that the process works well with low-grade and hard-to-process ores is significant, as 70% of copper reserves globally are found in these types of ores. Endolith's innovation has the potential to generate millions in additional revenue, to reduce the need to mine new copper deposits, and to accelerate the energy transition by providing the necessary copper for renewable technologies.
🌱 HIRO Robotics
Hiro Robotics uses industrial robots, computer vision, and artificial intelligence to create robotic systems to automate e-waste sorting and disassembly. The use of automated robotics can make the recovery of metals, plastics, rare earths, and other critical raw materials from e-waste more cost-effective. Hiro Robotics has created a modular system for the disassembly of flat-screen monitors and TVs, a robotic module to remove screws from inverters, servers, and telecom equipment, and a sorting system for printed circuit boards. They are also working on systems to automate the stripping of PV panels, to detect batteries in mixed waste, and to disassemble EV batteries. Hiro Robotics' solutions can improve safety and efficiency in waste treatment and strengthen the circular economy by increasing material recovery.
🌱 REEcover
Researchers at the ETH Zurich have developed a new method to separate rare earths from e-waste, using an extractant to alter the solubility of the elements. This can be used to efficiently recover europium from spent fluorescent lamps at levels that are “at least 50 times higher than with previous separation methods”. Due to the high costs typically associated with the energy and chemicals needed to recover rare earths, less than 1% are currently recycled. The researchers hope to scale their technology by collaborating with industrial partners. By recycling rare earths domestically, the ETH Zurich's innovation could help alleviate both environmental and geopolitical concerns.
🌱 WeFix
WeFix offers an “all-in-one service” for refurbished household appliances in Tunisia, where there is no institutional system for proper disposal and where refurbished devices can be up to 60% cheaper than new ones. By providing collection, repair, and recycling services and promoting the purchase of refurbished appliances, WeFix pairs environmental and social impact with an economic gain. Through their online platform, WeFix prevented 20 tonnes of e-waste in 2023, 80 tonnes in 2024, and will likely reach 120 tonnes in 2025.
Read more about Endolith here:
- https://www.bestmag.co.uk/endolith-mining-technology-may-hold-key-to-unlocking-vast-copper-reserves/
Read more about HIRO Robotics here:
Read more about REEcover here:
- https://www.reuters.com/science/zurich-researchers-pioneer-rare-earth-e-waste-recycling-2025-06-26/
Read more about WeFix here:
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