Alexander Olesen, co-founder and CEO of Buckstop, appeared on the Sustainability In Your Ear podcast to explain how his company uses AI to transform e-waste into valuable resources. Launched in early 2025, Buckstop aims to create an intelligence layer for the circular economy in electronics. Olesen highlights the untapped potential in recycling critical minerals from decommissioned devices.
In the episode published on October 20, 2025, Olesen addresses the growing challenge of decommissioning solar arrays, battery systems, and EV chargers installed over the past decade. He notes there is no unifying system to manage this reverse supply chain essential for a circular economy. While Americans recycle 97% of vehicles, less than 20% of electronics are recycled, leaving valuable minerals like lithium, cobalt, and gold in warehouses or landfills. Olesen describes the electronics in our built environment as "the richest mining scene on Earth," yet they are often treated as waste.
Buckstop, founded by Olesen after his work on Babylon Micro Farms—which develops distributed vertical farming systems—deployed its "algorithmic assay" in just three months. This AI-driven method deconstructs finished goods into raw materials and critical minerals at scale, allowing asset owners to assess the granular value of their electronics. Traditional scrap recovery yields only 1-5%, but resale value can reach 20-30%, representing significant lost value for Fortune 500 companies with billions in fixed assets.
Drawing from his decade of experience manufacturing vertical farming equipment with 1,200 unique components, Olesen questions, "Why is there no comprehensive end-of-life solution for technology assets?" He takes inspiration from Kelley Blue Book, which he says "was the data stream that formalized the aftermarket for vehicles." Before such standardization, cars were left rusting roadside; today, automotive is the most circular industry. Buckstop currently focuses on renewable energy infrastructure like solar panels, batteries, and inverters, with a vision to track all electronic assets. As Olesen puts it, "If you can’t measure it, you can’t improve it." That measurement marks the start of circularity. More details are available at buckstop.com.