Printed circuit boards (PCBs) are central components of nearly all electronic devices—from computers and smartphones to industrial machinery. As these items reach the end of their life, their circuit boards still retain value due to the precious metals and recyclable materials they contain. For businesses in the UK looking to recycle electronic waste, understanding the value of PCBs is key to maximising returns and managing disposal responsibly.

In this article, we’ll explore what makes PCBs valuable, how their worth is calculated, and what your business can expect when recycling them.

What Makes a Printed Circuit Board Valuable?

The value of a PCB primarily comes from the metals embedded within it. Many boards contain small quantities of precious and base metals, including gold, silver, copper, palladium, and tin. These are recovered during the recycling process and sold on the commodities market. Higher-grade boards generally contain more of these materials, making them more valuable.

Gold is often used in connectors and edge fingers due to its excellent conductivity and resistance to corrosion. Copper is widely used throughout the board for tracks and components, and palladium can be found in capacitors. The concentration of these materials, and their market value, directly affects how much recyclers are willing to pay for PCB scrap.

Types of PCBs and Their Scrap Value

Not all PCBs are created equal. Their value depends heavily on their grade:

• High-grade PCBs: Found in servers, telecom systems, and high-end IT equipment, these boards contain a higher concentration of precious metals and offer the greatest value.
• Medium-grade PCBs: Common in household electronics, these offer a moderate return due to lower precious metal content.
• Low-grade PCBs: Found in cheap or outdated devices, these contain minimal recoverable materials and therefore attract the lowest prices.

At RePCB, we assess your PCB waste based on these categories to offer competitive rebates that reflect current market values.

How Prices Are Determined

The scrap value of a PCB is influenced by multiple factors:

• Grade of the board: As outlined above, high-grade boards are more valuable.
• Current metal prices: Gold, copper, and other metals fluctuate in price on the global market, which directly impacts the price recyclers can offer.
• Quantity and weight: Larger volumes tend to attract better rates, especially when dealing with high-grade materials.
• Condition: Boards that are intact and not contaminated with other waste often yield better value.

While prices can vary from week to week, UK businesses can typically expect higher returns for server motherboards, RAM, CPUs, and telecom PCBs compared to mixed or low-grade circuit boards.

Current Market Trends in the UK

The UK market for PCB recycling remains strong, especially as sustainability targets push businesses to improve their e-waste practices. As of 2025, circuit board scrap prices in the UK range from a few pence per kilogram for low-grade materials to over £5/kg for premium, high-grade PCBs.

However, the most accurate pricing is obtained through direct assessment. At RePCB, we offer tailored quotes based on your waste type, location, and volume. Our clients also benefit from rebates where applicable.

Why RePCB?

At RePCB, we provide nationwide collection and recycling services for a wide range of PCB materials. We help businesses responsibly dispose of their circuit boards while offering competitive rebates where value exists. All collections are traceable, and we provide full documentation to support your compliance with WEEE regulations.

Our service is transparent, and we’re always happy to offer guidance on the potential value of your e-waste. Whether you’re disposing of server boards, RAM, CPUs, or mixed-grade circuit boards, we ensure that all recyclable value is extracted efficiently and responsibly.

Printed circuit boards (PCBs) are the backbone of modern electronics. From mobile phones and laptops to industrial machinery and communication systems, PCBs power nearly every piece of electronic equipment. But what exactly is a printed circuit board, and why is it so crucial to today’s technology?

This article will break down the structure, function, and importance of PCBs, as well as explore what happens when they reach end-of-life and require recycling.

What Is a PCB?

A printed circuit board (PCB) is a flat, rigid board that mechanically supports and electrically connects electronic components. These components are mounted onto the board and connected by conductive pathways—often made from copper—etched into the surface of the board.

PCBs can vary in size, shape, and complexity depending on the device they are designed for. Some PCBs are small and simple, used in toys or remotes. Others are large and intricate, powering servers or medical equipment.

Main Components of a PCB

A typical PCB consists of:

• Substrate: Usually made from fiberglass (FR4), providing mechanical strength.
• Copper Layer: A thin conductive layer that forms the circuits.
• Solder Mask: A protective layer that insulates copper traces and prevents short circuits.
• Silkscreen: The topmost layer used to add labels and component markings.

Components such as resistors, capacitors, microchips, and connectors are soldered onto the PCB, allowing the device to function.

Types of PCBs

There are several different types of PCBs based on their construction:

• Single-sided PCBs: With one copper layer and components on one side.
• Double-sided PCBs: Copper layers and components on both sides.
• Multilayer PCBs: Three or more layers of copper, used in more advanced electronics.
• Rigid, Flexible, and Rigid-Flex PCBs: Based on board flexibility requirements.

Each type is chosen based on performance, size, and complexity needs.

Where Are PCBs Found?

PCBs are found in virtually all electronic devices, including:

• Mobile phones
• Laptops and computers
• Medical devices
• Automotive systems
• Telecommunications equipment
• Home appliances

Their universality means PCBs are one of the most commonly disposed of e-waste types in the UK.

The Lifecycle of a PCB

1. Design and Manufacturing: Engineers design PCBs using software, followed by production and testing.
2. Usage: PCBs function within the device until it becomes obsolete, faulty, or broken.
3. Disposal or Recycling: At end-of-life, PCBs can be responsibly recycled or sent to landfill (which is increasingly discouraged).

Proper recycling ensures the recovery of useful materials and minimises environmental harm. Printed circuit boards contain valuable materials such as copper, gold, palladium, and silver—especially in high-grade boards like CPUs and server motherboards. However, they also contain hazardous substances like lead and brominated flame retardants.

Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) are fundamental to almost every electronic device in use today. They provide the physical platform that connects electronic components through conductive pathways, making modern electronics compact and reliable. But when exactly were PCBs invented, and how did this innovation transform technology?

In this article, we explore the origins of PCBs, their early development, and the impact they have had on electronics manufacturing.

The Origins of PCBs

The concept of the printed circuit board dates back to the early 20th century, with several inventors contributing key ideas that led to the creation of modern PCBs.

The first patent resembling a printed circuit was filed in 1903 by Albert Hanson, a German inventor, who described flat foil conductors laminated to an insulating board. However, it wasn’t until the 1930s and 1940s that PCBs began to take the form we recognize today.

The Key Inventors and Development

The modern PCB was developed primarily during World War II, driven by the need for more reliable, compact, and mass-producible electronic systems for military use.

• Paul Eisler, an Austrian engineer, is credited with inventing the modern printed circuit board in 1943 while working in England. Eisler’s innovation involved using a printed conductive pattern on a non-conductive substrate, which revolutionized electronics assembly.
• Around the same time, the United States military and industry further developed PCB technology to support radar and communication equipment.

Eisler’s work laid the groundwork for widespread adoption of PCBs in commercial electronics after the war.

Impact on Electronics Manufacturing

The invention of PCBs enabled the miniaturisation of electronic devices and dramatically improved manufacturing efficiency. Instead of wiring components by hand, manufacturers could mass-produce boards with precise and repeatable circuits.

Today, PCBs are essential in everything from smartphones and computers to household appliances and automotive electronics.

Recycling and Disposal Considerations

As PCBs became ubiquitous, the volume of electronic waste containing circuit boards has increased significantly. Proper disposal and recycling of PCBs help recover valuable metals like gold, copper, and silver, and prevent environmental harm.

At RePCB, we provide expert printed circuit board disposal and PCB recycling services throughout the UK, helping businesses manage their e-waste responsibly.

Printed circuit boards (PCBs) are the backbone of modern electronics. From smartphones and laptops to medical devices and industrial equipment, PCBs enable the complex functionality we rely on daily. But how exactly are these intricate boards created?

In this article, we walk through the full PCB manufacturing process—from raw materials to the finished board—explaining how each step contributes to the structure and function of a PCB. Whether you’re an engineer, recycler, or business professional, understanding this process is crucial for making informed decisions about design, sourcing, and responsible disposal.

Step 1: PCB Design

The manufacturing journey begins with the circuit design. Using CAD (computer-aided design) software, engineers lay out the circuitry, component placements, and electrical pathways. This design is then converted into Gerber files, the standard format for PCB production. These files guide every step of the fabrication process, ensuring the board functions as intended.

The design includes details such as:

• Number of layers (single-layer, double-layer, or multi-layer)
• Dimensions of the board
• Hole and drill locations
• Copper trace widths
• Component mounting locations

Step 2: Substrate Preparation

The base material, or substrate, is usually made from fibreglass-reinforced epoxy resin (FR4). This non-conductive layer provides structural support. A thin sheet of copper is laminated on one or both sides of the board to form the conductive layer. Multi-layer PCBs are formed by stacking and bonding multiple layers of substrate and copper.

This foundational step sets the stage for all further processing, determining the board’s flexibility, heat resistance, and mechanical durability.

Step 3: Image Transfer and Etching

Next, the copper is patterned according to the PCB design. A photosensitive film (photoresist) is applied to the board, and ultraviolet light exposes it using a stencil derived from the Gerber file. This hardens the areas where copper traces will remain.

The unexposed areas are then removed chemically, and the board is placed in an etching solution to dissolve the excess copper. What’s left are the precise copper pathways that will connect various components on the board.

Step 4: Drilling and Plating

Drilling is used to create holes for component leads and vias (electrical connections between layers). These holes are made with CNC machines to micrometre accuracy.

After drilling, the holes are electroplated with copper to establish conductivity between layers. This step is crucial for multi-layer boards and enables the flow of electricity throughout the circuit.

Step 5: Solder Mask and Silkscreen

A solder mask is applied to insulate the copper traces and prevent accidental short circuits. It also leaves component pads exposed for soldering. This layer typically comes in green, but other colours are possible.

Next, the silkscreen layer is printed. It contains symbols, text, and labels that assist in component placement and identification during assembly and repair.

Step 6: Surface Finish

To ensure proper soldering of components, a surface finish is applied to exposed pads. Common finishes include HASL (Hot Air Solder Leveling), ENIG (Electroless Nickel Immersion Gold), and lead-free options.

Each surface finish offers different benefits in terms of durability, conductivity, and compatibility with automated assembly processes.

Step 7: Electrical Testing and Quality Control

Before shipping, the PCB undergoes electrical testing to check for shorts, open circuits, and other defects. High-voltage probes trace the circuitry to confirm that it matches the design.

Visual inspections and automated optical inspection (AOI) systems are also used to verify alignment, etching accuracy, and cleanliness. Only boards that meet strict quality criteria move on to component assembly.

Why It Matters for Recycling

Understanding the construction of a PCB also sheds light on why they’re valuable during recycling. The layered materials, copper, and often gold-plated connectors mean these boards contain precious resources. At RePCB, we recover these materials to reduce environmental impact and offer rebates where value exists.

If your business is looking to dispose of circuit boards responsibly, check out our printed circuit board recycling services to see how we can help.