The two balance sheets behind every e-waste decision

The article advocates for a paradigm shift in e-waste management from short-term, lowest-cost procurement to a long-term, value-based approach, termed 'urban mining'. It highlights the strategic importance of recovering critical minerals from e-waste to reduce import dependence, enhance domestic industrial capability, ensure data security, and achieve environmental sustainability. The authors argue that while initial investments in advanced recycling infrastructure may seem high, the 'strategic balance sheet' reveals significant long-term economic and environmental benefits, drawing parallels with early investments in solar power. It calls for policy changes, including leveraging procurement as an industrial tool and reforming Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) to reward quality outcomes over mere cost minimization.