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There’s treasure in your junk drawer. Most people don't realize that the old laptop collecting dust on the shelf or the forgotten phone in a kitchen drawer could hold real value—not just in memories, but in metals.

What Is an Urban Mine?

The term "urban mine" refers to the untapped supply of precious materials stored in our old electronics. From smartphones to desktop towers, devices often contain small amounts of gold, silver, copper, and palladium. And when aggregated across millions of devices, the yield can be astonishing.

In fact, according to the United Nations, the concentration of gold in e-waste can be up to 100 times higher than that found in traditional gold ore.

At Agape Computer and Electronics Recycling, this is a fact we work with every day. Through our electronic recycling in Mesa, AZ, we help local communities unlock the hidden worth of their unwanted tech—while protecting the planet in the process.

More Metal, Less Mining

Extracting raw materials from the Earth is expensive, dangerous, and environmentally harmful. Mining operations require massive amounts of energy, produce toxic runoff, and disrupt ecosystems.

Here’s how e-waste compares to mining:

• 1 ton of smartphones can yield roughly 300 grams of gold.

• 1 ton of mined gold ore typically produces just 5 grams.

That’s a 60-fold difference.

And it’s not just gold. Electronics also contain:

• Copper: Used in wires and circuit boards

• Palladium: Crucial for semiconductors and connectors

• Silver: Common in solder and contacts

When you choose computer recycling in Mesa, AZ, you’re not only clearing out clutter. You’re making sure these materials are reused instead of extracted anew.

The Agape Advantage

At Agape, we don’t just recycle—we repurpose with purpose. We follow a strict zero-landfill policy and ensure that every usable component is either reused or ethically processed. Our approach makes it easy for businesses, households, and schools to act responsibly without jumping through hoops.

We're proud to be part of a solution that makes environmental sustainability accessible and beneficial to the everyday person. When a customer donates or drops off equipment, they’re also joining a bigger cause—keeping harmful metals out of landfills and pushing the reuse economy forward.

Who Benefits from Urban Mining?

Aside from the environmental wins, urban mining:

• Reduces manufacturing costs by supplying recycled materials to tech companies.

• Creates green jobs in recycling facilities and repair centers.

• Empowers communities to support ethical recycling practices.

And here’s something we’re incredibly proud of: Agape donates many recovered phones to organizations that help victims of domestic violence. That means your old phone could help save a life.

How You Can Help

Not sure what to do with that tangle of chargers or that outdated tablet? Start here:

• Gather old devices: Include computers, tablets, phones, and accessories.

• Erase your data: Or let us handle secure data destruction for you.

• Drop off at our Mesa location: We’ll take it from there.

You can also schedule a business pickup or community recycling event. If your organization is looking to improve its sustainability scorecard, let’s talk.

The Bottom Line

Your forgotten electronics aren’t junk—they’re part of a rich resource pool hiding in plain sight. By supporting electronic recycling in Mesa, AZ, you're helping conserve resources, reduce pollution, and create a cleaner economy.

At Agape, we believe in the value of things that others overlook. And when it comes to the so-called trash in your tech drawer, the truth is: it might just be treasure.