With the accelerated upgrading of electronic devices, waste circuit boards have become a key component of "e-waste". Statistics show that waste circuit boards account for approximately 10% of global electronic waste generated each year. However, they contain both harmful substances and precious resources. Improper disposal can lead to severe pollution, while scientific recycling can unlock enormous value. Therefore, waste circuit board recycling has become a crucial measure that balances environmental protection and economic benefits.

From an environmental perspective, waste circuit board recycling serves as a vital defense line to block pollution and protect ecosystems. Circuit boards contain various heavy metals such as lead, mercury, and cadmium, as well as toxic chemicals like brominated flame retardants. If randomly discarded or simply incinerated, these heavy metals will seep into soil and groundwater, causing farmland pollution and water deterioration, which threatens the survival of plants, animals, and human health. Meanwhile, the production of circuit boards consumes large amounts of mineral resources. Recycling can reduce the exploitation of primary minerals, minimize ecological damage caused by resource development, and contribute to the achievement of "carbon peaking and carbon neutrality" goals.

In terms of economic value, waste circuit boards can be regarded as "urban mines", containing abundant recyclable resources. They are rich in precious metals such as gold, silver, copper, and palladium, with contents much higher than those in natural ores. For example, the gold content in each ton of waste circuit boards can reach 20-30 grams, which is dozens of times that of ordinary gold mines. Additionally, non-metallic materials like plastic and glass fiber can also be recycled for the production of recycled products. Through professional dismantling, sorting, and extraction technologies, these resources can be reintroduced into industrial production. This not only reduces the raw material procurement costs of enterprises but also forms a circular economy industrial chain of "recycling-processing-reutilization", driving employment and the development of related industries, and injecting new impetus into economic growth.

Currently, China has issued a number of policies to support the recycling and utilization of waste circuit boards, promoting the standardized and large-scale development of the industry. However, to fully unlock its value, joint participation of all sectors of society is required: Enterprises should assume their primary responsibilities and establish standardized recycling systems; Consumers need to enhance their environmental awareness and proactively deliver waste electronic devices to formal recycling points; Research institutions should increase investment in technological R&D to improve resource recovery rates and environmentally friendly treatment standards. It is believed that through multi-party collaboration, waste circuit boards will be transformed from "e-waste" into valuable resources that promote the coordinated development of environmental protection and the economy, providing strong support for building a resource-saving and environment-friendly society.