WSJ Tech News Briefing: How Your Junk Is Finding New Life Powering the Electric Era
Release Date: November 21, 2024
Host: Bel Lin
Reported by: Ryan December

1. Introduction to the Episode

In this episode of WSJ Tech News Briefing, host Bel Lin delves into two pivotal topics shaping the tech landscape: the TSA's latest facial recognition program and the innovative methods mining giant Glencore employs to source copper from electronic waste. These discussions highlight advancements in security technology and sustainable resource management, respectively.

2. TSA’s Facial Recognition Program

Overview of the New Program

Bel Lin opens the segment by introducing a groundbreaking TSA initiative aimed at streamlining the airport security process. The program leverages facial recognition technology to verify travelers' identities, eliminating the need for traditional ID checks such as driver's licenses.

Detailed Discussion with Alison Poley

Timestamp [01:19] – James Rundle, WSJ’s correspondent, converses with reporter Alison Poley about the benefits and mechanics of the TSA's new program.

• Security Enhancements: Alison explains that the TSA touts the program as more secure because it uses preloaded, government-approved photos from passports or Global Entry profiles. This pre-verification ensures that only vetted individuals can access expedited security lanes.

  "This identity verification is based on either someone's passport photo or perhaps their Global Entry picture... it is more secure and TSA says makes things more efficient as well."
  [01:23] – Alison Poley

• Efficiency Gains: The new facial recognition system significantly reduces processing time. Alison notes that the average verification takes 6 to 8 seconds, compared to the existing 18 to 20 seconds with TSA PreCheck.

  "So TSA says that it takes an average of six to eight seconds... Regular TSA Pre check takes 18 to 20 seconds to pass through."
  [02:09] – Alison Poley

Privacy and Civil Liberties Considerations

The conversation shifts to address concerns from privacy advocates regarding the use of facial recognition technology.

• Opt-In Nature: Alison emphasizes that participation is entirely voluntary. Travelers must already be part of a trusted traveler program, having submitted their information to the government beforehand.

  "They've already given their identity related to their traveler profile to the government... it's a totally opt in process which makes people feel more comfortable with it."
  [02:39] – Alison Poley

• Data Storage: It's clarified that biometric data is stored securely with the government, not with the airlines, alleviating some privacy concerns.

  "The biometric data isn't being stored with the airlines, it's being stored with the government."
  [03:28] – Alison Poley

Implementation and Future Expansion

Alison details the current scope and future plans for the program.

• Current Availability: The facial recognition program is active at nine major airports, including DCA, LAX, Chicago's O'Hare, Atlanta, Salt Lake City, and Detroit, with airlines like Delta and United initially onboard.

  "It's at DCA, LAX, Chicago's O'Hare, Atlanta, Salt Lake City and Detroit."
  [03:45] – Alison Poley

• Future Plans: United plans to extend the program to multi-party reservations shortly, while Alaska and American Airlines are expected to integrate the technology in the upcoming months.

  "Alaska and American Airlines expect to be able to offer this to their travelers in the coming months."
  [04:43] – Alison Poley

3. Copper Mining from Electronic Waste by Glencore

Rising Demand for Copper

Bel Lin transitions to the second major topic: the escalating demand for copper driven by the shift towards renewable energy and the data boom. Copper's essential role in electric vehicles, infrastructure, and electronics makes it a critical resource for the electric era.

Insights from Ryan December’s Investigation

Timestamp [06:32] – Ryan December, WSJ reporter, explores how Glencore is addressing the copper supply gap by sourcing it from electronic waste.

• Copper’s Longevity and Recycling: Ryan highlights that unlike commodities like oil or wheat, copper is perennial—it does not decompose and remains in circulation. This characteristic makes recycled copper a valuable resource.

  "Copper never goes away. It's always there... but there's a lot of it in the trash and junkyards."
  [06:32] – Ryan December

• Economic and Logistical Advantages: Extracting copper from e-waste is often more feasible and quicker than developing new geological mines, which can take decades from discovery to production. High copper prices incentivize the recovery of copper from discarded electronics and vehicles.

  "When the price is high enough to go back into the landfills and get that out... it's actual easier... than to get a new geologic mine."
  [07:20] – Ryan December

Glencore’s Operations in Quebec

Ryan provides an on-the-ground perspective from a visit to Glencore’s historic smelter in Quebec.

• Facility Overview: The 97-year-old smelter, located deep in the Quebec taiga, processes copper concentrate and e-waste. Despite the mine ceasing operations in the 1970s, the smelter remains active by sourcing copper from global deposits and recycled materials.

  "It's a 97 year old copper smelter... They bring copper concentrate from all over the world... and they've always augmented it since the copper mine ran out with electronics."
  [08:20] – Ryan December

• Processing Techniques: The facility handles a mix of traditional copper concentrates and recycled electronic waste. The chief metallurgist continuously manages the chemical processes to effectively extract copper from diverse and complex waste materials.

  "They have a chief metallurgist... balancing all day long this chemical reaction... to compensate for things that add heat to the fire or change the chemistry."
  [09:00] – Ryan December

• Recycling Initiatives: Glencore has implemented strategies to collect a wide range of electronic waste, from small items like old phone cords to large shipments from electronics manufacturers. The smelter also features collection points for the local community to contribute their discarded electronics.

  "They even have a collection box out front for the town's... old wires and their broken toasters and their, you know, old cell phones."
  [10:14] – Ryan December

Future of Copper Recycling

Bel Lin probes into the future sustainability and scalability of copper recycling.

• Increasing Recycling Efforts: Ryan anticipates that as copper become scarcer and more expensive through traditional mining, the reliance on recycled materials will grow. New facilities in the U.S. by German firms and recent acquisitions by Glencore in Arkansas signify a broader industry shift towards recycling.

  "As copper concentrate becomes harder to get and more expensive... you're going to see more recycled material going in."
  [11:06] – Ryan December

• Economic Viability: The expansion of recycling facilities indicates that sourcing copper from e-waste is becoming more economically viable, addressing both supply challenges and environmental concerns associated with traditional mining.

4. Conclusion

The episode of WSJ Tech News Briefing effectively underscores the intersection of technology and sustainability. The TSA's adoption of facial recognition technology exemplifies advancements in security and efficiency, while Glencore's innovative approach to copper recycling highlights a pragmatic response to the resource demands of the electric era. These developments not only reflect current trends but also set the stage for future technological and environmental strategies.

Notable Quotes:

• "This identity verification is based on either someone's passport photo or perhaps their Global Entry picture." – Alison Poley [01:23]

• "Copper never goes away. It's always there." – Ryan December [06:32]

• "As copper concentrate becomes harder to get and more expensive... you're going to see more recycled material going in." – Ryan December [11:06]

Produced by: Julie Chang
Supervising Producer: Katherine Millsop
Host: Bel Lin