Urban mining is the process of utilizing the secondary material found in the environment as a useful resource. The secondary material mentioned is generally the raw material that is extracted from the waste obtained through the primary processing of natural raw materials. Some of the widely popularized materials obtained through urban mining specifically waste generated in construction include paper, wood, rubbers, etc.
Importance of Urban Mining
It is considered to be important as it can be used to make a variety of different appliances such as microwaves, refrigerators, TVs, etc. Following are the few most important aspects for which urban mining is used:
- It is used to utilize the metallic waste that is generated by different industries and clear up the landfills which can possibly reduce the chances of hazard.
- The level of CO2 in the environment is also reduced as the energy inputs are less.
- It is a better alternative to the original mining process which can be labor intensive, dangerous and not environmentally sound.
- The natural resources are maintained at sustainable levels as natural resource extraction is reduced.
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Is Urban Mining a Recycling?
In the current environmental scenario, it is important to efficiently utilize our resources and adopt the 3 R’S strategy whenever possible. In urban mining, the materials are said to be reclaimed from their used form which otherwise would have been gone to the dump yard. The 3 R’s that are the need of the hour include:
- Reducing the consumption of the resources and eventually minimizing the waste produced.
- Reusing the primary resources by either repurposing their use or extending the earlier use without making it go through any process.
- Recycling refers to the process of putting objects or materials through a process that makes them efficient enough to be used again for a different purpose.
So yes, urban mining is a process of recycling as the raw materials obtained from the waste generated specifically e-waste extracted are processed through recycling.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Urban Mining
When deciding whether to adopt this process of urban mining in anyone’s city or country, it becomes important to have an understanding of both the advantages and disadvantages of the process. The following table indicates both aspects clearly:
Advantages
Ecological | Resources conservation, Improved environmental conditions, Better habitat for animals. |
Economical | Affordable materials, Cost-effective with no high energy inputs. |
Social | More employment generation, Landfills converted for recreational purposes, Better aesthetics of the locality. |
Disadvantages
Ecological | More soil pollution, Noise pollution, Unpleasant environment. |
Economical | Secondary material used, Low quality raw materials. |
Social | No regulations for waste monitoring, Improperly discarded waste. |
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