Recovery of Secondary Metals and Concrete Modification from Recycled PC Electronic Waste
Kulenova N. Sapinov R. Sadenova M. Shoshay Z. Beisekenov N. Boldyryev S. Rudenko O. Yeleukenov M.
February 2026Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)
Recycling
2026#11Issue 2
This article discusses possible approaches to recycling electronic waste, with a focus on the main components of a personal computer (PC) system unit (SU). The study makes a significant contribution to solving the problem of natural resource depletion and environmental pollution. The article evaluates the possibility of commercial extraction of valuable metals without the use of reagents, complex processes, and equipment, as well as the utilization of plastic electronic waste (e-waste) in the construction industry. The proposed scheme for recycling the main components of printed circuit boards (PCBs) allows aluminum and copper alloys to be extracted from metal elements. Recycled PCBs provide raw materials containing more than 35.5% copper and other valuable metals. The plastic used in the production of control printed circuit boards is proposed to be used as an additive for construction concrete. When 40–50% of plastic is added to the mass of sand, concrete samples of grades M250–M200 can be obtained. And with a plastic content of 10–20% of the sand mass, concrete grades M350–M300 are obtained, which can be used for foundations and monolithic construction of low-rise buildings. A preliminary assessment of the toxicity of concrete has shown that it is safe. A preliminary assessment of the concrete’s toxicity revealed that it is safe. An initial evaluation of the commercial feasibility of processing the main components of the SU PC revealed the possibility of obtaining funds of approximately $3183.7 per 1000 SUs, without the use of complex processing schemes. The use of secondary metals will significantly reduce CO2 emissions. The need for this study is driven by the high relevance of the issue of electronic waste disposal. Despite numerous studies in this area, the amount of waste worldwide is growing, which indicates the low effectiveness of existing methods.
e-waste , printed circuit boards , reagent-free metal recovery , secondary metals , urban mining
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Priority Department Centre “Veritas” D. Serikbayev, East Kazakhstan Technical University, 19 Serikbayev Str., Ust-Kamenogorsk, 070000, Kazakhstan
Faculty of Engineering, NJSC Toraighyrov University, Lomov Street, 64, Pavlodar, 140008, Kazakhstan
Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, 77843, TX, United States
Zagreb Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture, University of Zagreb, Ivana Lučića 5, Zagreb, 10002, Croatia
Priority Department Centre “Veritas” D. Serikbayev
Faculty of Engineering
Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology
Zagreb Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture
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