Recycling is great for the environment and Tokyo’s olympic planning committee has a great idea for making new medals: old technology.
Instead of relying on mining companies for new gold, silver and bronze, it’s turning to the public and all of the unwanted, discarded gadgets.
Our smartphones and household appliances contain small amounts of these precious materials. So we may as well reclaim them. Starting in April, public offices and more than 2,400 NTT Docomo stores will offer collection boxes in Japan. The initial goal is eight tons of metal, which will be whittled down to two tons and then, used to produce 5,000 Olympic and Paralympic medals.
It is all about Tokyo wanting to promote sustainability and recycling. It will make this years medals very special indeed. “Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic medals will be made out of people’s thoughts and appreciation for avoiding waste,” Japan gymnast and three-time Olympic gold medallist Kohei Uchimura said. “I think there is an important message in this for future generations.”
It is a great PR opportunity of course, but it is also a great message. Why we aren’t recycling these resources for more things like this I have no idea. Great move on the part of the planning committee.
Source Engadget
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