ABSTRACT
Electronic waste (e-waste) is one of the fastest growing household wastes around the globe. Yet, it is one of the lowest performing waste streams when it comes to recycling and resource recovery. The biggest challenges of e-waste management is planned obsolescence, particularly the technological obsolescence and our obsessions to update ourselves with a new and fancier version of electronic products. The technological innovation often comes with drawbacks, for example, 3D printing has been considered as one of the pioneer inventions of the century, however, the management of waste from the 3D printed product would be more complex, unless we think upfront. Despite all challenges, e-waste has opened up the opportunities of resource harvesting through urban mining. Urban mining will soon become more economical than tradition mining to supply the vital minerals and metals to our society.
