Meet the materials we need to save the planet, but are throwing away

We’ve just released a set of new educational resources that help us open our electronics and open our eyes to the raw materials inside that we are simply throwing away. Even when we recycle electronics, most of these “critical raw materials” are not getting recouped.

The crime of disposability

We’ve repaired for over five years in our communities. Now we are witnessing worrying developments, including the emergence of products that are simply — and unnecessarily — disposable. Some are even single-use.

Restart @school session 9: Exploring the value of gadgets for reuse and recycling

Before launching into an “urban mining” session on raw materials and recycling, we emphasised that reuse always comes before recycling. Then we “mined” with students working to identify the elements and minerals in the parts.

Restart @school session 6: Mobiles, lithium batteries and critical raw materials

Mobiles help us talk about miniaturisation – and material consequences. We delved into the topic of “critical raw materials”, learning about recycling rates, and need to slow our consumption. Then we changed mobile batteries

Learning more about Restart Party participants

We are publishing findings of a research project with Nottingham Trent University to find out more about participants to Restart Parties