Turning Trash into Treasure in Freeport

Freeport, New York, is home to eWorks, a pioneering company dedicated to transforming electronic waste into valuable resources. Piled high with discarded televisions, computers, and printers, eWorks sees these items not as refuse, but as potential gold mines.

CEO Mark Wilkins emphasizes the importance of assessing each electronic item’s value: “There is a value that would be there. Maybe it’s a small value, but it’s our job to really go through that process and evaluate each one of those components.”

Assessing and Extracting Valuable Materials

The eWorks team begins their operation by testing electronics to see if they can still function. If an item no longer works, it is dismantled to recover valuable components, including hidden gold found in chips and circuitry.

According to Alireza Abbaspourrad, an associate professor at Cornell University, the quantities of gold found in electronics far exceed those in mined ore: “About one million used cellphones can produce something close to 70 to 85 pounds of gold.”

Innovative and Environmentally-Friendly Methods

Traditionally, extracting gold from e-waste involves hazardous chemicals like cyanide. However, Abbaspourrad’s team has developed a more sustainable technique using an organic compound that selectively absorbs gold ions, effectively acting like a sponge.

“Our sponge selectively targets only gold, and that’s a major difference,” Abbaspourrad stated. This innovation not only facilitates easier extraction but also minimizes environmental risks, promoting safer recycling practices.

The Growing Challenge of Electronic Waste

The volume of electronic waste is rapidly escalating. A recent United Nations report indicated that 62 million tons of e-waste were generated globally in 2022, marking an 82% increase compared to a decade earlier. Projections suggest this figure could rise to 80 million metric tons annually by 2030.

Wilkins notes a growing awareness surrounding e-waste, which presents both challenges and opportunities for companies like eWorks.

A Mission of Inclusion and Opportunity

Founded over ten years ago, eWorks has created numerous jobs for individuals with disabilities, facilitating their training and employment in a hands-on recycling environment. Wilkins explains, “Our mission is to provide training, education, and employment for people with disabilities,” highlighting that nearly half of their workforce comprises individuals with special needs.

This model not only supports community empowerment but also contributes positively to the planet by redistributing electronic resources and reducing landfill waste.

Conclusion

eWorks stands as a promising example of how innovative recycling practices can bridge environmental sustainability with economic opportunity. By converting e-waste into crucial materials, the company not only helps the environment but also changes lives, creating paths to employment for many.