Recycled Gold : An Ecological Myth
Deconstruction of a Greenwashing
Don't believe these watches. This image doesn't say what it shows. We choose it for what it evokes. For what it says about our over-consumption. For what it says about an impossible trust. Of an untraceable origin.
At a time when many jewelry houses are constantly extolling the virtues of recycled gold jewelry, presented as the "eco-responsible" alternative par excellence, it's high time to lift the veil on this deceptive façade. Around 30% of the gold used each year comes from recycling, including used jewelry, electronic components and other industrial waste. Untraceable, recycled gold often hides sordid realities, including contributions to wars and human rights abuses, while giving a green facade to companies complicit in these atrocities.
What is Recycled Gold ?
Gold recycling begins with the collection of materials containing gold, such as used jewelry or industrial waste. But it can also be smuggled or illegally mined gold, the source of which you want to hide. Untraceable, once melted.
Why Recycled Gold is unethical : impossible traceability and the issues involved
The initial origin of recycled gold is unclear, leaving the door open to unethical practices. This lack of traceability leads to :
- Precarious working conditions : Recycling facilities, particularly in developing countries, often offer dangerous and precarious working conditions.
- Insufficient certification : Certification and traceability systems for recycled gold aim to attest that the gold has been recovered ethically and ecologically, but these certifications cannot guarantee the original origin of the different golds used before recycling. Unfortunately, there are still far too many cases of adulteration.
- Environmental impact : Processing and refining recycled gold generates emissions and chemical residues that are harmful to the environment.
- Use of toxic chemicals : The recycling process uses hazardous substances such as mercury and cyanide, polluting the environment and posing health risks for workers.
The Green Face of Recycled Gold
Despite promises of sustainability, recycled gold fails to live up to its ecological and ethical commitments. As a result, brands promoting recycled gold practice greenwashing, offering an ecological façade without any real in-depth changes. Some companies, for example, claim to use only recycled gold from building windows (some building windows contain gold for its optical and thermal properties) or electronic circuits (gold is used for its electrical conductivity and resistance to corrosion and oxidation). These postulates are often misleading, as they are not economically viable due to the large quantities of materials required to recover a few grams of gold. But above all, the absence of rigorous traceability means that the authentic origin of this gold cannot be verified, thus allowing all kinds of aberrations and unfounded claims. Furthermore, we can deplore the lack of investigative work on the part of the many journalists who present recycled gold as fundamentally ecological, without taking care to study the hidden face of this marketing argument.
For a real breakthrough in sustainable jewelry, it is crucial to demand total transparency throughout the production chain. This transparency and control pushes the various players in the industry to adopt responsible practices, leaving less room for illegal practices and boosting consumer confidence.
Join AGUAdeORO in our movement. The next time you want to buy a piece of jewelry, make sure of the origin of the materials used, the jewelry's certifications and labels, and its traceability. It's time for jewelers to use secure traceability channels like Fairtrade Max Havelaar certification.
AGUAdeORO Swiss Jewelry house using responsible materials since 2009.
(Photo Credit : Ian Taylor, Unsplash)Luxury is about heritage. But not if it means robbing others of their future.