Asger Risom
That drawer full of old gadgets might hold more than just clutter—scientists say it could be a cleaner source of gold.
Your old phone might not be worth much at resale, but the gold inside it is another story.
Researchers at Flinders University have introduced a new chemical process that could revolutionize how we recycle gold from electronics.
The innovation replaces toxic extraction chemicals with a compound commonly found in swimming pool disinfectants.
Gold Without Cyanide or Mercury
Traditional gold extraction relies on harmful substances like cyanide and mercury—chemicals that pose serious risks to human health and ecosystems.
But the Flinders team has created a leaching method using trichloroisocyanuric acid, a much safer chemical typically used to purify water.
In the lab, this compound was combined with salt water to dissolve gold from e-waste.
As reported by popsci, the gold was then captured using a specially engineered sulfur-rich polymer. After extraction, the polymer reverted to its base state, cleanly separating and isolating the gold for reuse.
“The aim is to provide effective gold recovery methods that support the many uses of gold, while lessening the impact on the environment and human health,” said lead researcher Justin Chalker.
From Circuit Boards to Sustainable Solutions
Gold is prized in electronics for its conductivity and resistance to corrosion, but most of it ends up in landfills.
According to the UN, global e-waste reached 62 million tons in 2022—a staggering increase from previous years.
This new method could change that. The researchers successfully applied their technique to not just e-waste, but also to ore and scientific waste.
They’re now collaborating with industry partners to scale the process.
In the meantime, consumers can still contribute by recycling their electronics at certified centers.
While it won’t make you rich, it’s a step toward reducing waste and recovering valuable materials from forgotten devices.
