Scientists at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) have introduced a breakthrough method to safely recycle e-waste plastic, paving the way for a greener and more sustainable solution to managing electronic waste.

E-waste is a significant contributor to plastic pollution, with many electronic items containing harmful substances like brominated flame retardants (BFRs). These chemicals, while essential for fire resistance, often leach into the environment when e-waste is improperly disposed of or recycled, posing serious ecological and health risks.

The NTU research team, led by Assoc. Prof. Lee Jong-Min from the School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, and Biotechnology, has addressed this challenge by focusing on a widely used e-waste plastic—acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). ABS is commonly found in items like keyboards and laptop casings.

Their innovative recycling method involves using two solvents, 1-propanol and heptane, to selectively remove BFRs from ABS plastic. This dual-solvent system ensures that the harmful chemicals are carefully extracted without compromising the integrity of the plastic itself. The result is a cleaner, safer plastic ready for reuse in its original applications.

The team’s method achieves a recovery rate of over 80%, maintaining the plastic’s quality, which allows it to be repurposed into new products without degradation. This sustainable approach not only reduces plastic waste but also minimizes environmental hazards associated with e-waste recycling.

“This is one of the most efficient ways to recycle e-waste plastic without harming the environment,” noted the researchers.

By making e-waste recycling safer and more effective, NTU’s solution could revolutionize how the world manages electronic waste, ensuring both environmental safety and resource conservation.