Printed Wiring Board Recycling: Desoldering and Plucking

The circuit boards are placed on shallow grills that are heated underneath by a can filled with coal or by direct use of a flame. In the grill is a pool of molten lead-tin solder. The circuit boards are heated in the pooled solder until the components are removable. The solder is removed by slapping the board hard against a brick. The components, such as ICs, capacitors and resistors are then plucked out with pliers and processed.