99.9999% (Ok you get the idea) of all electronic devices we own contains small amounts of a different metals. Mainly you’ll find gold, silver, copper, platinum, and tungsten. Getting those metals back out of the devices after they have been discarded requires a strong chain of recycling programs. Too many times e-waste end sup in the poor nations of the world polluting their lands and water.
So to promote sustainability, the Tokyo Organizing Committee, the people behind the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, have decided the medals athletes will be awarded during the games should be made using recycled metals. With that in mind, a call has gone out across Japan for consumers to donate their old electronic devices for recycling.
5,000 medals need to be produced to cater for both Olympic and Paralympic athletes. To achieve that, eight tons of metal needs to be collected, which after processing will create two tons of medals. More specifically, 40kg of gold, 4,920kg of silver, and 2,944kg of bronze is required.
NTT Docomo and Japan Environmental Sanitation Center (JSEC) will partner in helping to achieve that total.
From April this year, collection boxes will be installed throughout Japan at over 2,400 NTT Docomo stores and public offices across the country.
