Why climate tech companies have a recycling issue

illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on Inc. or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: Climate technology companies face a significant challenge in obtaining enough recycled materials to produce solar panels, batteries, and other innovations
• The current recycling system cannot meet the surging demand, prompting a need for creative sourcing solutions

🔭 The context: The United Nations reports that material extraction and use contribute to 70% of global emissions
•  Efficient use and reuse of materials like cement, plastics, aluminum, and steel could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2050
•  Yet, an adequate supply of recycled materials for climate technology is still years away

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The scarcity of recycled materials for clean technology underscores a critical tension in the sustainability movement
• As the demand for technologies designed to combat climate change grows, the need for raw materials increases, potentially exacerbating the very problem these innovations aim to solve

⏭️ What's next: To avoid contributing to environmental degradation, clean tech companies must explore innovative recycling methods and alternative sources for rare earth materials, such as extracting them from old smartphones and laptops

💬 One quote: "Material extraction and use account for 70 percent of emissions globally," highlighting the significant impact of raw material use on the planet

📈 One stat: Only 22 percent of the scrap needed for lithium-ion batteries will come from old batteries by 2025, according to Bloomberg

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