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/sci/ - Science & Math

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[ERROR] No.3779843 [Reply] [Original]

So are there alternatives to these rare metals, or will civilisation collapse in our lifetime?

>> No.3779847

you don't really use up metals, they can be reused you know

>> No.3779858

>>3779847
But we're throwing away more than we recycle, especially for metals that are way cheaper to just mine more for.

>> No.3779869

>>3779858
throwing away just means 'not recycled yet'
all the shit we throw into landfill is still made up of the same elements it always was. we're putting the metals back in the ground, we can always dig them up, sort, categorise, refine them, etc.

>> No.3779875

>>3779858
Yes. But we are also developing new technique. For christ's sake its not such an issue YET. Resources exist to be consumed. Unless the tech progress stops completely I would not be so worried. Yes, I am NOT against recycling but NO I don't think we waste metals so much as you think. Stop being paranoid.

>> No.3779900

this will probably ignite asteroid mining

>> No.3779906
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>>3779900
Here's hoping.

>> No.3779915
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>throw into landfill .. dig them up

that was looong ago, no more landfills here, anything gets either recycled or burnt for energy (electricity plus heat, my house gets heated that way in winter)

drawback: 5 different rubbish bins, but it's ok.

>> No.3779931

>>3779915

you can't burn metal for electricity

>> No.3779939
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>>3779931

>> No.3779982

>>3779931

(recycled) xor (burnt for energy)

better now?