Chennai: Researchers at IIT Madras have developed an environment-friendly and sustainable technique to recover valuable metals such as copper and iron from electronic waste, officials said on Friday.

The method uses Deep Eutectic Solvents (DES), derived from biodegradable natural compounds, to dissolve and extract metals without generating toxic by-products. Unlike conventional recycling processes that depend on harsh chemicals, the new technique is non-toxic, water-efficient, and reduces environmental pollution, according to a press release.

E-waste, one of the world's fastest-growing waste streams, contains significant quantities of recoverable metals, including copper, gold and iron. Traditional methods often produce impure metals and hazardous effluents, requiring further treatment.

The research was carried out by Prof Ranjit Bauri, Prof S Pushpavanam and research scholar Sinu Kurian from IIT Madras. The study, published in The Journal of Sustainable Metallurgy, also enables direct production of valuable nanomaterials, supporting circular economy practices.