ETH Zurich Scientists Pull Gold from E-Waste with Cheese Byproduct

Researchers at ETH Zurich have discovered a way to recover gold from electronic waste using a cheese byproduct. A team led by Professor Raffaele Mezzenga developed a whey-protein amyloid aerogel that selectively adsorbs gold ions from acid-dissolved electronics.

In lab tests, the aerogel recovered a 450-milligram nugget of 22-carat gold from metal parts taken from 20 old computer motherboards. The process is not only cost-effective but also environmentally friendly, using food by-products as raw materials.

The global e-waste problem continues to grow, with an estimated 61.3 million tons generated in 2023. By leveraging this new method, recyclers may be able to recover gold from waste more efficiently and sustainably.