DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY

Innovative Recycling of E-waste for Critical Metals and Sustainable Economy in Malaysia (iRECYCLE-Malaysia)

Project disclaimer

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Description

The iRECYCLE-Malaysia project aims to revolutionise e-waste management in Malaysia through the development of sustainable and profitable technologies for recycling plastic-contaminated printed circuit boards. This interdisciplinary research program brings together expertise from institutions in Malaysia and the UK to address the pressing challenge of e-waste in Malaysia, where generation is projected to reach 1.4 million tonnes annually by 2030. Currently, only 25% of Malaysia's e-waste is formally recycled, with 75% handled by the informal sector using outdated, unsafe practices that pose significant environmental and health risks. This situation urgently calls for innovative solutions to transform e-waste management, improve safety, and generate high-quality employment. The project aligns with Malaysia's 12th Plan (2021-2025), which emphasises transitioning to a circular economy and implementing Extended Producer Responsibility for e-waste. By developing customised recycling solutions for Malaysia's tropical climate and local context, iRECYCLE-Malaysia will contribute to the country's goals of increasing household recycling rates by 40% and scheduled waste recycling by 35%. Key objectives include: Developing sustainable metal leaching strategies using hydrophobic deep eutectic solvents and bioleaching to replace hazardous mineral acid leaching. Establishing processes for separating mixed plastic waste using supercritical fluids to avoid toxic emissions from burning. Designing new separation flowsheets for full recovery of precious and critical metals. Building a pilot-scale demonstration of an integrated e-waste recycling process in Malaysia. Ensuring alignment with circular economy principles and economic feasibility. Developing formal e-waste policies for Malaysia based on stakeholder engagement. The project will deliver step changes in e-waste management by advancing biotechnology applications, developing innovative metal recovery methods, and demonstrating sustainable approaches to recycling complex plastic mixtures. These advancements will position Malaysia at the forefront of e-waste management innovation. iRECYCLE-Malaysia addresses the Ayrton Fund challenge area of "Smart delivery" with a focus on critical minerals. The project will enhance resource security through domestic recovery of critical metals, reducing dependence on imports. The developed processes aim to recover up to 95% of critical metals from e-waste, contributing to the supply of materials essential for clean energy technologies. The project is fully ODA compliant, directly benefiting Malaysia, an upper middle-income country on the DAC list. It addresses specific development challenges related to sustainable waste management and aligns with Malaysia's national priorities. Outcomes will promote economic development and welfare by reducing pollution, enhancing resource security, creating green jobs, and improving working conditions in the e-waste sector. Collaboration between UK and Malaysian institutions will facilitate knowledge exchange and technology transfer, building local expertise. The project will engage key stakeholders including government agencies, industry partners, informal sector workers, and local communities to ensure relevance and uptake of solutions. Training programs and a pilot demonstration will encourage wider adoption of sustainable practices. By combining cutting-edge scientific research with socio-economic considerations, iRECYCLE-Malaysia aims to create a transformative impact on the country's approach to resource recovery and environmental protection. The project will deliver tangible benefits including reduced environmental pollution, improved public health outcomes, new job opportunities, and enhanced resource security. These advancements will contribute to Malaysia's sustainable development goals while providing a model for e-waste management that can be adapted to other developing countries facing similar challenges.

Objectives

The iRECYCLE-Malaysia project aims to revolutionise e-waste management in Malaysia through the development of sustainable and profitable technologies for recycling plastic-contaminated printed circuit boards. This interdisciplinary research program brings together expertise from institutions in Malaysia and the UK to address the pressing challenge of e-waste in Malaysia, where generation is projected to reach 1.4 million tonnes annually by 2030. Currently, only 25% of Malaysia's e-waste is formally recycled, with 75% handled by the informal sector using outdated, unsafe practices that pose significant environmental and health risks. This situation urgently calls for innovative solutions to transform e-waste management, improve safety, and generate high-quality employment. The project aligns with Malaysia's 12th Plan (2021-2025), which emphasises transitioning to a circular economy and implementing Extended Producer Responsibility for e-waste. By developing customised recycling solutions for Malaysia's tropical climate and local context, iRECYCLE-Malaysia will contribute to the country's goals of increasing household recycling rates by 40% and scheduled waste recycling by 35%. Key objectives include: Developing sustainable metal leaching strategies using hydrophobic deep eutectic solvents and bioleaching to replace hazardous mineral acid leaching. Establishing processes for separating mixed plastic waste using supercritical fluids to avoid toxic emissions from burning. Designing new separation flowsheets for full recovery of precious and critical metals. Building a pilot-scale demonstration of an integrated e-waste recycling process in Malaysia. Ensuring alignment with circular economy principles and economic feasibility. Developing formal e-waste policies for Malaysia based on stakeholder engagement. The project will deliver step changes in e-waste management by advancing biotechnology applications, developing innovative metal recovery methods, and demonstrating sustainable approaches to recycling complex plastic mixtures. These advancements will position Malaysia at the forefront of e-waste management innovation. iRECYCLE-Malaysia addresses the Ayrton Fund challenge area of "Smart delivery" with a focus on critical minerals. The project will enhance resource security through domestic recovery of critical metals, reducing dependence on imports. The developed processes aim to recover up to 95% of critical metals from e-waste, contributing to the supply of materials essential for clean energy technologies. The project is fully ODA compliant, directly benefiting Malaysia, an upper middle-income country on the DAC list. It addresses specific development challenges related to sustainable waste management and aligns with Malaysia's national priorities. Outcomes will promote economic development and welfare by reducing pollution, enhancing resource security, creating green jobs, and improving working conditions in the e-waste sector. Collaboration between UK and Malaysian institutions will facilitate knowledge exchange and technology transfer, building local expertise. The project will engage key stakeholders including government agencies, industry partners, informal sector workers, and local communities to ensure relevance and uptake of solutions. Training programs and a pilot demonstration will encourage wider adoption of sustainable practices. By combining cutting-edge scientific research with socio-economic considerations, iRECYCLE-Malaysia aims to create a transformative impact on the country's approach to resource recovery and environmental protection. The project will deliver tangible benefits including reduced environmental pollution, improved public health outcomes, new job opportunities, and enhanced resource security. These advancements will contribute to Malaysia's sustainable development goals while providing a model for e-waste management that can be adapted to other developing countries facing similar challenges.

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Location

The country, countries or regions that benefit from this Programme.

Malaysia

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