Study: One Ton of Gold Slumbers in Unused German Old Mobile Phones

Which metals are inside the devices

Besides gold, numerous other metals are found in the devices. „Insgesamt mehr als 50 Metalle seien in Smartphones enthalten, darunter neben Gold auch Palladium und Silber", the study states. However, the pure metal value per old device is only about 1.25 euros. Ten years ago, it was still twice as much. The study thus shows that modern smartphones contain fewer of the classic precious metals than older models.

At the same time, according to the experts, the composition is shifting: „In heutigen Smartphones werde weniger Gold, Silber, Palladium und Tantal verbaut als früher, dafür mehr Seltene Erden, Gallium und Germanium – wenn auch, so die Experten, auf niedrigem Niveau." This also changes the nature of the „urban mine" stored in German households.

Why recovery remains difficult

The study's lead author, Britta Bookhagen, contextualizes the findings: „Obwohl Smartphones eine Vielzahl von Metallen enthalten, bleibt deren Rückgewinnung technisch und wirtschaftlich herausfordernd." The BGR experts point out that recycling reaches economic and ecological limits for many metals. „Ein vollständiges Recycling aller Metalle im Smartphone sei daher nicht realisierbar", the study writes.

The potential would be considerable, however. „Die Rückgewinnung dieser Rohstoffe stellt nach Einschätzung der Experten ein gewaltiges Potenzial dar", it continues. So far, this „urban mine" remains largely untapped – not only in Germany, but globally: „Weltweit würden nur 5 bis 10 Prozent aller Altgeräte recycelt", the study writes. Most devices therefore remain unused in households.

Return rate as the biggest lever

The authors identify the return rate as the biggest lever. „Größtes Problem sei aber die geringe Rücklaufquote. Nur wenn sich die erhöhe, könne auch die Verwertungsquote steigen", according to the study's conclusion. „Das, so das Fazit der Studie, sei der größte Hebel zur Hebung des Metallschatzes in den Althandys." This shifts the focus from the pure technology of recycling to the question of how consumers can return their devices.

The study also makes clear that even improved collection would not solve all problems: Because modern smartphones contain fewer of the high-priced precious metals than older models, the economic incentive for processing individual components is also declining. The BGR therefore sees its short study as a contribution to a debate on raw materials strategies and the circular economy that extends beyond the question of mobile phone recycling.

Looking at raw materials strategy and the circular economy

Overall, the findings paint a picture of a previously barely tapped raw material source: Millions of devices with a material value that is relevant in the aggregate, but barely weighs in per device. The authors see this primarily as a logistics and behavior-related problem – and less a purely technical one.