Waste Avoidance & Recycling
© BMU/Christoph Busse/transit
In Germany, avoidance of waste takes precedence over all other measures and treatment techniques and is seen as being of considerable importance. The constraint applies not only to the quantity of waste generated, but also to the content of pollutants.
The main methods by which generation of waste can be avoided include:
- On-site recycling of materials
- Implementation of product designs that reduce waste generation (less material consumption, increased utilisation life, improved potential for repair, cleaning, recycling and reuse as packaging, etc.) and
- Environment-orientated procurement and consumption behaviours (e.g., renting instead of purchasing, used instead of new goods, long term utilisation instead of throwaway, reusable instead of disposable).
Economic inducements will be increasingly be used in future to make it more attractive for commercial enterprises to fully exploit their existing waste avoidance capacity within their operations. One central element of this approach is an integrated product policy. This would require manufacturers to be accountable for their products over their whole life cycle; in other words, they would need to provide proof of resource-efficient production, utilisation and disposal of their products.
It is on the basis of this platform that example methods of waste avoidance have been developed for various branches of industry, in particular regarding:
- the use of highly selective catalysts in the production of special organic chemicals
- the use of a separate acid management method for piecewise hot-dip galvanisation
- a single bath process for the acid-polishing of crystal glass, thus reducing production of pollutants and waste
- a high pressure technique for the conservation of foodstuffs, and
- use of the lost-foam technique in aluminium alloy casting of complex elements.
This study involved the evaluation of various disposal options in terms of their environment-friendliness, cost-effectiveness and state-of-the-art technology for each method considered. Results obtained will allow political decision-makers in particular to provide a scientific basis for their selection of a specific disposal option.
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In a two-stage anaerobic plant using the Schwarting-Uhde process, it has been demonstrated that the biological treatment of organic wastes, even residual wastes, represents an economical and ecologically sound alternative to disposal by combustion. Process residues are suitable for landfill, on the grounds of their low level of respiratory activity.
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The key focus of investigations has been the influence of various printing ink components upon the de-inking of used paper. On the basis of results obtained, a water-based flexographic printing ink has been developed which has shown good results, both in the de-inking process and in practical printing tests.
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Application of a new flotation process to increase the recyclable quota of used paper: Parts 2 and 3
Two significant developments have emerged from research work conducted into the application of used paper for high-quality paper production: flotation headers for the more effective release of fine particles of filler and carbon black, thereby improving the quality of used paper, and a water-based flexographic printing ink which can easily removed by flotation in conventional headers.
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Aramid fibres from industrial waste for tribologically robust moulded parts in electrical domestic appliances
The process tested under the project has since been further developed for industrial usage. It uses aramid fibres recycled from textile waste to mechanically and tribologically strengthen injection-moulded components.
At the start again and again - the reusage of packaging
Containers for liquid, semi-liquid and solid hazardous materials can be restored to a serviceable condition, depending upon the usage required by the specialised companies concerned. In order to optimise process control for the purposes of reconditioning, researchers at the University of Dortmund have developed evaluation rules and methods which can be used for the more reliable determination of the condition of packaging delivered. Further information is set out in the brochure.
Auto-Rapport: Optimised use of material and minimized energy input at the processing of rapport-drapery in effect of one-layer cutting with automatic pattern-scanning and cutfile optimisation (Part 3)
The expected reductions in environmental impact have been achieved through the fully automatic cutting of pattern fabric with integrated error monitoring. Following a plant test, economies in protective sheeting, lining paper, and energies in vacuum production were
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The process developed for the damping and granulation of zinc oxide-bearing filter dust and the resulting improvements in the durability of furnace linings have made the use of galvanised scrap an attractive option, even for induction furnaces, and have improved scope for the recycling of zinc.
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In the biogas plant Wittmund various organic, i.e. biologically degradable wastes are fermented to liquid manure and other wastes during an anaerobic and mesophilic putrefying process in a digester. The liquid manure is fetched from the cooperating agricultural enterprises and returned after the treatment in the form of processed liquid manure as organic liquid fertilizer. The electric current generated from the resulting biogas in a CHP station is fed into the public net on the basis of the power supply law.
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Biotechnological recycling and disposal of cellulitic and lignocellulitic wastes: development of particle board materials based upon scrap timber
Using the two-stage decontamination process developed, it is possible to achieve the material recycling of scrap sleepers, which are to be disposed of in large quantities. The resulting materials are suitable for load-bearing and insulating purposes in exterior applications. Processing costs are consistent with those associated with natural source materials.
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