What's inside your device

Discover here what materials your smartphone, laptop or tablet is made of to understand why it is so important to use these devices for as long as possible and then recycle them responsibly.

Composition of typical devices

Smartphones, laptops and tablets are complex devices made from a variety of materials, including:

Metals

Many devices contain valuable metals such as gold, silver and copper, which are used in connectors and circuit boards. Rare metals such as tantalum and indium are also essential components for the functionality of displays and processors.

Plastic

Plastic is often used for housings and as insulation in cables. Although plastics are lightweight and durable, they result from petroleum-based sources, which causes environmental pollution.

Glass and ceramics

The display in particular is usually made of special tempered glass, which is difficult to recycle. Ceramic materials can be found in microchips and sensors.

Rare earths

These elements are critical for the colour display on screens and for the function of magnets in loudspeakers and small motors. The challenge lies more in the fact that the extraction and processing of these elements is environmentally and labour intensive and often takes place in geographically concentrated areas, which poses political and economic risks. China, for example, controls a significant proportion of global production of rare earths, which can lead to supply shortages in other countries.

Your role in environmental protection

The extraction and processing of these materials is often costly and harmful to the environment. By extending the service life of your devices and then recycling them, you help to reduce the need for new raw materials. This not only conserves natural resources, but also reduces pollution and supports the circular economy.

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