CHE 191-1: SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

LECTURE 3
CHE 191-1: SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

Learning Objectives
 Define recycling, recovery and other related terminologies

 Discuss the benefits and specific MSW components of

recycling

 Discuss ways to increase recycling

 Brief discussion on hazardous waste recycling

CHE 191-1: SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

Recycling
 Is the collection and processing of separated waste ending up
as new consumer product

 Use of a material in a form similar to its original use.

Newspapers are recycled into cardboard or new newspaper,
plastic is shredded and manufactured into fabric, aluminum
window frames are recycled into new beverage containers.

 Use, reuse, reclaim

 Use of the material as a source of raw material that involves

physical transformation
CHE 191-1: SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

Source separation

 Removal of potentially recyclable materials from the

waste stream, conducted by the individual consumer and
commercial establishment.
CHE 191-1: SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

Waste energy

 The conversion of MSW into energy by combustion in a

controlled incinerator.

 Energy is recovered as heat and can be utilized directly

or converted into electricity.
CHE 191-1: SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

Recovery

 Is the separation of mixed waste, also with the end result

of producing new raw materials for industry

 Process to recover useful material from mixed waste

 Extraction of energy or materials from waste

CHE 191-1: SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

Benefits of Paper Recycling

 For every ton of paper recycled:

 4100kWhr of energy is conserved
 7000 gal of water is conserved
 3 cubic yards of landfill volume is conserved

 Uses less chemicals

 Produces less toxic waste

CHE 191-1: SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

Examples of Recycled Paper

 Paper mache

 Paperboard or cardboard

 Insulation

 Paper bags
CHE 191-1: SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

Examples of Recycled Paper

CHE 191-1: SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

Problems Arise in Paper Recycling

 Chlorination produces dioxins/furans

 Inks are petrochemical based
 Acid used to break fibers shortens life
 Coating of high gloss paper
 Demand for high quality paper
 Glues, laminates, plastics, inks not water soluble
 Paper can only be reused 4-12 times, always need a virgin source
CHE 191-1: SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

Glass Recycling

 Recovered glass waste has a lower melting point (1370oC)

compared with the standard silica, soda ash and lime stone
mixture.

 Each 10%% increase in cullet reduces the melting energy by 2.5%

 Fewer gas emissions

 Recycled material has the same quality and structural integrity

CHE 191-1: SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

Four Requirements for Glass Recycling

 Must be separated by color

 Must be contaminant-free

 Must meet market specifications

 Must be container glass

CHE 191-1: SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

Glass materials not suitable for recycling

 Light bulbs
 Crystal and opaque drinking glasses
 Window panes
 Ceramic cups, plates, pottery
 Mirrors
 Windshields and window glass
 Laboratory glass
 Heat-resistant cookware – pyrex
 Other non-glass materials
CHE 191-1: SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

Alternative Uses for Cullet

 Glass wool for thermal and acoustic insulation

 Glassphalt (road paving)

 Abrasives for sandblasting

 Glass beads for reflective paint for highways

 Frictionators for firing ammunition and lighting matches

 Fluxes or additives – ground to powder form to be used as

lubricants, foundry flux, ceramics
CHE 191-1: SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

Benefits of Recycling Aluminum

 Uses 5% of the power needed to make the same amount thru the Bayer
process
 Recycled cans are of uniform and known composition
 About 51 percent of aluminum cans is being recycled
 Twenty years ago it took 19 aluminum cans to make one pound, but today,
aluminum beverage cans are lighter and it takes 29 cans to make a
pound.
 Americans throw away enough aluminum every three months to rebuild
our entire commercial air fleet.
 Making new aluminum cans from used cans takes 95 percent less energy
and 20 recycled cans can be made with the energy needed to produce
one can using virgin ore.
 Domestic recycling has declined recently, collection is expensive
CHE 191-1: SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

Benefits of Ferrous Recycling

 Recycled iron and steel is indiscernible from virgin materials
 Energy savings
 Less water demand per weight recycled
 Causes less air pollution
 Expanding economy – increased steel demands; China and India
biggest markets
 36.4% of steel is recycled
 One ton steel recycled saves 2500 lb of iron ore, 1000 lb of coal,
40 lb of limestone, and significant energy savings
CHE 191-1: SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

Plastics Recycling
Products manufactured from recycled plastic:
 Impact barriers
 Docks and decks
 Fences
 Scuff boards and floor boards
 Boundary markers and signposts
 Strapping
 Scouring pads
 Toys
 Compost bins
 Recycling containers
 Flowerpots
 Non-food containers
 Mats
 Benches and picnic tables
CHE 191-1: SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

Plastics Recycling
 Separated by resin type and color
 7 major types
 May be chipped, pelletized
CHE 191-1: SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

Plastics Recycling
CHE 191-1: SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

Plastics Recycling
CHE 191-1: SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

Plastics Recycling
CHE 191-1: SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

Problems Arise in Plastic Recycling

 Light weight, bulky, low density

 Wide variety of polymers

 Concerns over contamination for reuse

 Difficult to differentiate among types

CHE 191-1: SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

Rubber Tire Recycling

Considerations:

 Relatively inert and do not need land disposal to limit hazards

 Have a potential value as a recovered material

 Have a potentially high economic value as fuel (calorific value

close to metallurgical coke)
CHE 191-1: SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

Used Tires for Combustion

 In power plants

 Tire plants

 Cement Plants

 Pulp and paper mills

 Small package boilers

CHE 191-1: SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

Process Tire Products

 Other processed rubber materials

 Crumb rubber for paving

 Playground gravel substitute

 Sludge composting

 Split tire products

CHE 191-1: SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

Recycling Advantages

 Prevents the emission of many greenhouse gases and water

pollutants
 Saves energy
 Supplies valuable raw materials to industry
 Creates jobs
 Stimulates the development of greener technologies
 Conserves resources for our children’s future
 Reduces the need for new landfills and combustors