Reusable Printed Circuit Boards: A Revolutionary Step Toward Reducing E-Waste

As our digital consumption surges by over 6% each year, e-waste has become one of the world's fastest-growing waste streams. The numbers are staggering—each year, we produce billions of electronic devices, including around 1 billion mobile phones and 300 million laptops. This rapid production is depleting Earth's resources and creating vast amounts of toxic waste. If we don't take action, projections show that e-waste could reach a staggering 82 million tonnes by 2030, with severe repercussions for human health and the environment.

(Source: UNITAR 2024)

Enter In2Tec, a Techies Go Green member and innovator in the electronics industry committed to addressing the e-waste crisis. Through their ‘ReUse’ technology, In2Tec is transforming the way electronics are produced and recycled. Traditional electronic devices use FR4 board material—a durable combination of fibreglass cloth and epoxy resin, commonly found in printed circuit boards (PCBs). While effective, this material poses a significant recycling challenge. The adhesive used in production binds the materials so tightly that they become difficult to separate—leading to excessive e-waste buildup.

In2Tec's ReUse technology offers a groundbreaking solution to this problem. By using a specially designed adhesive that can be safely reversed in a controlled environment, In2Tec enables components to be removed and reused at the end of a product's life. This approach simplifies the recycling process and significantly reduces CO₂ emissions. According to In2Tec, shifting just 10% of annual PCB production to ReUse technology could prevent 27.9 billion tons of CO₂ emissions.

Through innovations like these, In2Tec is transforming end-of-life electronics from environmental liabilities into valuable assets. Their work demonstrates that by rethinking our approach to e-waste, companies can adopt sustainable practices without incurring high costs. This shift not only protects our planet but also paves the way for a sustainable future for generations to come.

For a deeper dive into In2Tec’s impact on the e-waste crisis, check out their documentary-style video, where they share insights and breakthroughs on their journey to combat e-waste.