This initiative -- known as the Tokyo 2020 Medal Project -- is in part a response to the global “e-waste” crisis. Globally, the amount of e-waste is projected to grow to 49.8 million tons by 2018, with an annual growth rate of 4-5%. China alone increased its waste to 6.7 million tons -- up 107% from 2010 to 2015. An Urban MineWhat happens to discarded mobile phones when consumers trade up for newer, slicker gadgets? At the end of August this year, telecom giant NTT Docomo -- a partner in the project -- collected approximately 1,300,000 used mobile phones.

Source: Forbes November 24, 2017 03:22 UTC