Urban Mining in the Philippines

The word mining has gained such notoriety these days due in large part to the destruction of our environment by some companies and their indiscriminate mining operations.

However, there is now an interesting type of mining to utilize electronic waste or e-waste in our midst that is being studied because of the rich opportunities hidden.

Our wants have multiplied over our needs in this consumerist culture. Now our raw material supply is running out. It is costing us more to mine precious metals than to recycle and reuse mountains of obsolete and thrown-away electrical and electronic equipment that contain gold, silver, copper and other metals.

Capitalism has succeeded to motivate consumption in order to increase production. For example, an attractive well-lit and overcooled mall, according to psychologists, stimulates customers to feel good and get ready to swipe their credit cards. Social signaling through conspicuous spending can assure status and dominance.

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Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer
By Amado de Jesus