The
rapid generation of electronic waste (e-waste) has become a
global problem owing to its potential environmental pollution and
human-health risk, especially from informal recycling in developing
countries. In 2014, however, only ∼15.5% of the total global
e-waste was formally treated by national take-back programs. Waste
printed circuit boards (PCBs) are an integral part of e-waste, and
they contain many valuable metal resources. Most recycling from waste
PCBs has focused on metals like Au, platinum group metals, and Cu,
which have high economic value, but tin also makes up a large proportion
of the metal in waste PCBs. Over the past decade, ∼44% of the
refined tin has been used as solder in the electronics industry each
year. Although current global tin reserves can meet the short-term
demand, for long-term sustainable development, recycling tin from
secondary resources, especially from e-waste, is essential. For addressing
the shortage of mineral resources and conserving energy, tin recycling
from e-waste needs more attention.