The Mission

What started as a group of friends has grown into a team of 40 enthusiastic students, supported by two generations of changemakers. Over the years, we have tackled challenges such as identifying hazardous materials, reducing battery fires, recycling solar panels, and transforming fly-ash into ballast. However, our proudest accomplishment is the environment we have created, which gives students real responsibility over innovative projects beyond the minimum requirements. We strive to educate our team members with knowledge from the market, often with the guidance of seasoned experts who want to ensure their wisdom is not lost when they retire. Our goal is to empower students to become the next generation of leaders who will drive change in the sustainable and circular economy.

The Challenge 

Globally, over 50 million metric tons of e-waste is generated annually, with only 20% being collected and recycled. The remaining 80% is undocumented and often ends up being traded, dumped, or recycled under poor conditions. Improper treatment of e-waste harms the environment and the health of humans and animals. E-waste contains 60 different chemical elements that spread via water, air, soil, dust, and food, with hazardous elements like lead, mercury, and cadmium posing a particular threat to children. Poor e-waste recycling also results in the depletion of rare and precious materials like gold and platinum, which could lead to shortages and further environmental damage.

The Solution

CORE Changemakers is a student-led organization that addresses societal issues while fostering student development. Our projects focus on tackling various e-waste problems in the recycling industry. For instance, TEMNOS, an automated system that detects batteries in incoming recycled products and separates them from other waste streams. Another project, TITAN, aims to eliminate battery fires in the e-waste recycling industry by safely shredding batteries in a brine solution. At CORE Changemakers, we offer students an opportunity to grow while contributing to the development of a better recycling industry.

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