China smashed its recycling goals in 2023 by processing a staggering 4.5 million tonnes of old TVs, fridges, and other household gadgets – equivalent to the weight of 450 Eiffel Towers! 💡 The effort recovered enough gold, silver, and copper to make Tony Stark’s Avengers tech look low-key. Even better? Every tonne recycled cut CO2 emissions by 4.7 tonnes, helping fight climate change one toaster at a time. 🌍
While 20% of appliances now go through eco-friendly recycling channels (shoutout to green innovators! 👏), experts warn that unsafe dismantling still risks polluting soil and wasting precious materials. Imagine tossing a gold-plated circuit board like it’s yesterday’s TikTok trend – yikes. 🚯
The takeaway? Proper recycling isn’t just tree-hugger vibes – it’s a treasure hunt for resources. 🔍 Next time your phone dies, think twice: that old device could be part of China’s circular economy glow-up!
Reference(s):
4.5 million tonnes of old home appliances recycled in China in 2023
cgtn.com