Platinum group metals which are found in used mobile phones and other small appliances, are being increasingly recycled in Japan.

While the Japanese central government has been slow to implement legislation that would allow the recycling of legislative metals, the Environment Ministry has launched an experimental collection programme.

The collections take gadgets that may contain the metals and Japanese consumers simply have to drop of potential unused gadgets at collection points in supermarkets and public halls.

According to reports from Kyodo News, posters in Odate are urging consumers to keep hold of electronic devices and recycle them because they are "important resources".

It has been running since December 2006 when the Odate Municipal government joined up with Tohoku University with an average of about 400 units collected each month.

They are then cut into fine pieces and analysed by experts at the university.

But the effort is not being seen nationwide with considerable amounts still being thrown away and worries about data protection are also leading some consumers to hold onto their old phones.



Source:

Demand for rare metals spurs gadget recycling efforts, 20/08/08
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