Old technology devices are often viewed as obsolete within a short period of time yet are abundant with precious materials, which is something the Tokyo 2020 Olympics medals look to take advantage of.
The Organizing Committee of Tokyo's 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games have opted to craft all medals that will be rewarded to athletes from old electronic waste. This process has seen collection centers set up across the country to encourage consumers to recycle their old device that is then stripped of its gold, silver and bronze metals to be transformed into Olympic medals.
The Tokyo 2020 Olympics medals are reported to be on the right track towards completion with all of the bronze required and the majority of the gold and silver required already being sourced.
Electronic Waste Olympic Medals
The Tokyo 2020 Olympics Medals will be Made from eWaste
Trend Themes
1. Upcycled Materials - Using electronic waste to create Olympic medals demonstrates the trend of upcycling materials for sustainable production.
2. Circular Economy - The Tokyo 2020 Olympics medals highlight the growing trend of embracing the circular economy by reusing resources in innovative ways.
3. Resource Conservation - The use of old electronic devices to create medals reflects the trend of resource conservation and reducing waste in manufacturing.
Industry Implications
1. Waste Management - The waste management industry can benefit from the opportunity to develop new recycling methods for electronic waste and repurposing valuable materials.
2. Sustainable Manufacturing - In the field of sustainable manufacturing, this innovation provides an opportunity to explore how discarded electronic devices can be incorporated into production processes.
3. Sports and Events - The sports and events industry can take inspiration from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics' use of electronic waste, leading to initiatives that promote sustainability within events and competitions.