Bi2Te3 based wastes were directly selected as raw materials for TE alloys.
Contaminants from cutting fluid and oxides could be effectively removed.
Bulk Bi0.44Sb1.56Te3 with ZT of 1.16 was obtained from Bi2Te3 based wastes.
Different from hydrometallurgy, the recycling method introduced here was green.
Directly recycling Bi2Te3 wastes can lower raw material costs of manufacturers.