How Circuit Board Shredders Make E-Waste Recycling Easier and Profitable
With the rapid turnover of electronics, the world is generating more e-waste than ever before. Among the most valuable components in e-waste are circuit boards, also known as PCBs. But how exactly do we recycle these complex items? That’s where the circuit board shredder comes in.
In this article, we’ll explain what circuit boards are, how a PCB shredder machine processes them, and why reclaiming valuable materials from e-waste and printed circuit board recycling are crucial for both the environment and the economy.
What Is a Circuit Board?
A circuit board, or Printed Circuit Board (PCB), is the heart of almost every electronic device. From computers and mobile phones to TVs and refrigerators, circuit boards connect and control various electronic components.
How does a PCB shredder machine work?
- Feeding: Circuit boards are manually or automatically fed into the hopper.
- Shearing & Tearing: The dual shafts of the circuit board shredder rotate slowly in opposite directions, pulling and crushing the boards using high-torque, low-speed power.
- Size Reduction: The boards are shredded into 20–50mm pieces, suitable for downstream separation.
- Output Collection: Shredded pieces fall through a sizing screen to ensure uniformity.
Advantages of using circuit board shredder
Using a circuit board shredder to process PCBs offers multiple advantages:
- Environmental Benefits. Prevents toxic materials like lead, mercury, and flame retardants from polluting land and water. Reduces e-waste landfill and burning.
- Economic Value. PCBs can contain up to 30% metals, including copper, gold, and palladium. Recovered metals can be sold to metal refiners or reused in manufacturing.
- Supports Circular Economy. Shredded fiberglass and plastics can be used in construction materials or fuel. Extracted metals go back into the supply chain, reducing mining dependency.
PCB shredder is suitable for
- E waste recycling centre
- Electronics dismantling plants
- Copper and precious metal recovery facilities
If you run an e-waste facility or plan to enter the recycling business, investing in a reliable circuit board shredder can maximize both material yield and ROI.