Small - but rich in precious resources

Globally, sales of mobile phones and smartphones reached 1.55 billion units in 2011. The manufacturing of mobile phones and other small electronic devices creates a large demand for metals frequently considered as "critical". "Recycling" as a supply strategy requires, in the first instance, an efficient collection infrastructure - but this has yet to be implemented in most countries. Researchers from Berlin's University of Technology (TU Berlin) have been assessing the present situation and are proposing concepts to improve the collection of small devices.