'Gold Mine' Hidden in Old PCs? The Secret of Priceless Precious Metals!
I was truly surprised when I heard this news! 🤯 I never imagined that old PCs, casually discarded, could hide over $2.42 billion, or more than 3 trillion Korean Won, in gold. As Windows 10 support nears its end, let's explore how many PCs will become 'gold mines'.
Hello! Today, I've brought you a truly fascinating piece of news. It's the story that 'gold mines' of unimaginable value are hidden within the PCs we use every day, especially old ones. I became genuinely interested after seeing this news. 😮
💻 The Reason Behind the PC Replacement Wave: Transition to Windows 11
The upcoming end of support for Windows 10 (End of Service, EOS) has prompted many to consider PC upgrades. However, this end of support could cause an unexpectedly significant ripple effect. Specifically, approximately 400 million PCs will need to be replaced to support Windows 11.
In the UK alone, about 1.5 million PCs remain un-upgraded from Windows 7 and are being left behind, a phenomenon seen globally. Due to a lack of hardware support, millions of devices may struggle to meet the requirements for the new operating system.
💰 The Reality of the 'Gold Mine' in Discarded PCs?
So, why are these replaced PCs being called 'gold mines'? According to new research, the value of metals recoverable from discarded PCs is immense. Researchers from Business Waste's Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) initiative estimate that gold worth a staggering $2.42 billion can be recovered from old PCs. This translates to over 3.2 trillion Korean Won! 🤑
This research indicates that gold alone recoverable from discarded devices amounts to £1.68 billion (approximately 2.7 trillion Korean Won). When other precious metals like copper (£98.8 million) and silver (£32.9 million) are included, the value increases even further.
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♻️ Two Aspects: Environmental Issues and Resource Recovery
This study also raises concerns about the environmental issues arising from the end of Windows 10 support. The disposal of 400 million PCs will generate a colossal amount of electronic waste. With the recoverable metals, including gold, copper, silver, platinum, palladium, and indium, totaling a massive 12.8 million kilograms, it's clear this presents not just a waste disposal challenge but also an opportunity for valuable resource recovery.
Of course, not all these figures can be purely translated into 'money'. However, it is evident that repurposing these resources that would otherwise be discarded can significantly contribute to environmental protection.
🤔 What Should We Do Moving Forward?
The end of Windows 10 support signifies more than just an operating system update. Isn't it astonishing that old PCs around us are not just collecting dust but can be potential 'gold mines'? 😮
Hearing news like this makes me think more carefully when replacing or disposing of a PC in the future. Do you have similar experiences or thoughts? Please feel free to share your opinions in the comments!
I hope this serves as an opportunity to reflect once again on the surprising value hidden in discarded technology and our responsibility towards the environment. 😊