State-of-the-art biotechnological recycling processes

Electronic waste is very heterogeneous yet attractive secondary source of many base and critical metals. Various bioprocesses are being studied extensively as an environmentally friendly route not only for resource recovery from wastes but also for pollution mitigation. Consequently, application of biotechnological processes for the metal recovery from electronic waste is evolving as the green and sustainable method for resource recovery. This chapter explores various state-of-the-art bioprocesses for recycling electronic wastes including bioleaching, biosorption and bioflotation. The chapter draws attention to the use of microorganisms and various biomolecules in such processes and facilitates the better understanding of fundamental mechanisms. In addition, it provides the future directions for use of novel biotechnologies and interdisciplinary approaches for such recycling processes.