Using a solution of what is essentially reusable table vinegar, the team has shown that for CAD$66 (about US$47) it can produce one kilogram (2.2 lb) of gold with 100 liters (26 gal) of reusable waste water – this is as compared to current methods that can cost over CAD$1,500 (US$1,070) and create 5,000 liters (1,321 gal) of toxic, non-reusable waste.

According to Stephen Foley, associate professor in the Department of Chemistry and leader of the project, 80 percent of the 50 million tons (4.5 million tonnes) of e-waste produced globally each year ends up in landfills, and seriously impacts the environment and surrounding populations as a result.

The problem with gold is that it's one of the least reactive chemical elements on the planet, which makes it difficult to dissolve. Thus current industry standard methods to remove it from scrap electronics rely on either highly-toxic cyanide solutions that are non-recyclable, or use high heat to burn off the gold, releasing dangerous gases into the air in the process.