SUbstance flow analysis of the recycling of small waste electrical ...

5. Quantification of the flows of gold and palladium 91
In the USA, the collection rate is almost 60%. Between 3 and 9 tonnes of gold were
contained in the 260 000 to 740 000 tonnes of large high-grade equipment that were
generated in 2007 (Figure 21). Around 17% of the precious metals are recovered. The losses
have an economic value of 20 to 160 million US-dollars for gold and 2 to 16 million USdollars
for palladium. The uncertainties are very large.
Figure 21 Flows of gold and palladium contained in large high-grade waste equipment in the USA in
2007 1
5.5. Small high-grade equipment
The generation of small high-grade waste equipment amounted to 1160 to 1700 tonnes in
Germany in 2007 and contained 67 to 108 kg of gold (Figure 22). Around 54% of this
equipment was collected. The management system allowed the recovery of almost 20% of
the precious metals. Between 50 and 88 kg of gold and between 11 and 19 kg of palladium
were discarded.
Figure 22 Flows of gold and palladium contained in small high-grade waste equipment in Germany
in 2007 1