E-waste has become one of the fastest-growing environmental problems worldwide. Most discarded electronics end up in landfills or are robots processed under unsafe conditions, with around 78% of electronic products not properly recycled. Meanwhile, the global tech market keeps churning out devices at breakneck speed. In 2024 alone, the world produced 1.22 billion smartphones, not to mention billions of TVs, laptops, and computers—fueling a relentless throwaway cycle.
The scale of the problem is staggering. A United Nations report predicts that e-waste will reach 80 million tonnes by 2030—enough to fill 1.5 million 40-ton trucks, which could circle the globe. Eric Ingebretsen, Chief Commercial Officer at SK Tes, which operates 40 IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) sites globally, notes that the industry already processes hundreds of millions of pounds of electronics each year. Clearly, urgent innovation is needed to reverse the e-waste crisis—and potentially turn it into a business opportunity.
Read More: Google Joins Apple in Removing Apps Used to Report ICE Agent Sightings
A Danish Robotic Solution
At the Danish Technological Institute, researchers are pioneering an AI-driven robotic system designed to tackle e-waste while scaling and modernizing the tech refurbishment industry. TNW recently saw a demo of this innovative project from Mikkel Labori Olsen, a robotics consultant and researcher on the RoboSAPIENS project, which focuses on safer robot-human interactions.
The team’s robot automates laptop refurbishment—a process traditionally slow, labor-intensive, and difficult for local businesses to staff. Equipped with a robotic arm, dedicated toolbox, and advanced camera system, the robot is trained to replace laptop screens—a common but tedious repair. So far, it can handle two laptop models and their submodels, with plans to expand to more devices.
Using AI and visual recognition, the robot adapts to different laptops, removes plastic protectors, unscrews screens, and carefully extracts them. Olsen explains:
“We can drastically reduce waste if instead of throwing a perfectly useful laptop out, we just change the screen and then sell it again.”
By combining automation, AI, and refurbishment, this Danish initiative demonstrates how robotics could transform e-waste from a global problem into a tech goldmine.
The Business Value of E-Waste
Refurbishing laptops can generate far more value than simply recycling their raw materials. Depending on the region, laptop model, and condition, a refurbished device can sell for around €200, whereas the material value from fully recycling a laptop—by grinding it down—amounts to only about €10, explains Olsen.
“The essence is that by changing just a few components, especially simple ones, you can unlock significant value instead of merely selling the recycled parts,” he adds.
However, building the AI that powers systems like Olsen’s is no small feat. Robots can struggle when they encounter unexpected situations that weren’t included in their training datasets. Even minor details—such as screws in different colors—may require the AI to be retrained to handle new variations.
This is why humans-in-the-loop remain crucial for robotic e-waste systems. They can intervene whenever the robot flags a problem, ensuring repairs and refurbishments are carried out smoothly while maintaining efficiency and safety.
Why E-Waste Is an Untapped Billion-Dollar Industry
The potential value of e-waste is staggering. According to a report by the Astute Group, a single tonne of discarded smartphones contains more gold than a tonne of mined gold ore.
“In addition to gold, components like copper, silver, palladium, and rare earth metals are critical for manufacturing the technology hardware that the world demands,” explains Eric Ingebretsen from SK Tes.
Yet despite this enormous value, the majority of e-waste is never recovered. So why hasn’t the tech industry—or other sectors—fully tapped into this market?
Olsen points to global recognition as a key factor. “The field is yet to be widely acknowledged as one with significant value,” he says. While awareness is growing, robotic e-waste recycling is still emerging.
Cost is another barrier. “Robots and automation are expensive and complex,” Olsen notes. Beyond cost, the sheer diversity of hardware—from devices and components to models and varying conditions—makes designing adaptable robotic systems a major challenge. AI capable of handling this complexity is still largely in research and development, meaning fully automated e-waste recycling at scale remains just out of reach.
Modern Tech Problems — and Solutions
As technology becomes increasingly compact, manufacturers are radically changing how devices are built. Components are often glued together rather than screwed in, making disassembly and recycling without damaging parts a major challenge.
Despite these hurdles, Olsen remains optimistic. He’s encouraged by progress from local, European, and international companies that are raising the bar in tech refurbishment and component recycling.
In Denmark, companies like Tier 1A, Refurb, and Greenmind demonstrate that refurbishment can be a scalable business model. “Some of these companies are aiming to refurbish up to 2,000 units per day,” Olsen notes.
Olsen and his team are continuing to expand their robotic system’s capabilities. Their goal is to recognize a wide range of laptop models and submodels. Ultimately, they aim to create a ready-for-production robotic system that can support local Danish tech refurbishment businesses at scale.
His optimism is well-founded. Robotics is poised to reshape the future of e-waste management and reuse. From Denmark to global recycling operations, AI-powered systems are being developed to identify, sort, and dismantle devices with precision. These robots will automate hazardous and labor-intensive tasks, improving both safety and efficiency, while unlocking the hidden treasure trove within e-waste.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is e-waste?
E-waste, or electronic waste, refers to discarded electronic devices such as smartphones, laptops, TVs, and computers. Improper disposal of these items can harm the environment.
Why is e-waste valuable?
E-waste contains precious metals like gold, silver, and palladium, as well as rare earth elements critical for manufacturing technology. Refurbishing devices can also generate far more revenue than recycling raw materials.
How can robotics help with e-waste?
AI-powered robots can automate the dismantling, repair, and refurbishment of devices. They improve safety, reduce labor-intensive work, and enable businesses to recover high-value components efficiently.
Why isn’t e-waste fully recycled yet?
Challenges include high automation costs, complex AI development, and the enormous variety of devices, models, and conditions. Human oversight remains essential for unexpected issues.
Are refurbished electronics profitable?
Yes. Depending on the model and condition, a refurbished laptop can sell for around €200, compared to roughly €10 if only recycled for raw materials.
What companies are leading in tech refurbishment?
In Denmark, companies like Tier 1A, Refurb, and Greenmind are scaling up refurbishment operations, aiming to process thousands of units per day.
What does the future of e-waste management look like?
AI and robotics will continue to improve the efficiency, safety, and scalability of recycling and refurbishment, unlocking the hidden value in discarded electronics worldwide.
Conclusion
E-waste is no longer just a global problem—it’s a hidden opportunity. With AI-powered robotics, the tech industry can refurbish, recycle, and unlock billions in value while reducing environmental impact. From improving efficiency and safety to creating scalable business models, robotics is set to transform how the world manages and reuses electronic devices, turning discarded tech into a sustainable resource for the future.
