MOBILE CHARGERS are an inevitable part of our lives, but, once rendered non-functional, they are among one of the most disposed-off electronic waste items found at any e-waste scrap market. A team of scientists from Maharashtra recently conducted a study and developed a unique ‘microbial solution’ for the problem, through which they could extract up to 92 per cent of the metal components from a defunct charger. This would make their disposal safer. The study was recently published in Environmental Science and Pollution Research.