Electronic waste in the framework of Urban Mining and Urban Metabolism: an overview

The efficient use of raw materials is essential to ensure the competitiveness and sustainability of modern production systems. European supply chains are particularly exposed to supply risks associated with Critical Raw Materials (CRMs), whose demand continues to grow across strategic sectors. To address this, the European Commission launched the Critical Raw Materials Action Plan in 2020, emphasizing the need for more resilient and circular material flows. Within this context, Urban Mining the recovery of valuable materials from end-of-life products emerges as a key strategy. However, technological and organizational barriers persist, particularly due to the heterogeneous nature of urban material streams. This article presents the initial phase of a multi-year PhD research project grounded in eco-industrial principles and developed in collaboration with an industrial partner. The partner integrates robotics and artificial intelligence to disassemble electronic boards, recondition components, and extract CRMs with high added value. The study also explores the potential of Smart Manufacturing and digital technologies to improve the efficiency, speed, and cost-effectiveness of CRM recovery. Starting from the mapping of urban deposits of obsolete devices, the project investigates advanced treatment technologies and circular supply chain models, both closed- and open-loop, for more sustainable CRM procurement. This first article aims to identify viable research directions and establish the methodological foundation for subsequent project phases.