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Technology of Recycling. By Susy Kindred. Source: http://www.main.org/nuna/welcome_to.html. Energy Balance. Energy required to make products from recycled materials vs. Energy required to make products from virgin material
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Technology of Recycling By Susy Kindred Source: http://www.main.org/nuna/welcome_to.html
Energy Balance • Energy required to make products from recycled materials vs. • Energy required to make products from virgin material • Factors – sources, collection of recyclables, virgin materials, process equipment
Why this doesn’t work • Recyclables change hands many times • Recycling is done by private companies • Everyone does it differently
What I did instead • Estimate of energy required to collect recyclables nationwide
Source: ttp://www.concordnet.org/cpw/recycle/html/drivers.html
Paper • Collected • De-inked - Slush - Detergent • Addition of new materials • Bleached • Dried • Ironed • Rolled Source: http://www.carneyswaste.com/images/recycle_paper_web.jpg
Plastic • Collected • Separated • Grind • Clean • Remold http://www.basscoast.vic.gov.au/files/685_recycling%20plastic.jpg
Glass • Collected • Separated by color • Crushed • Cleaned • Used as cullet • Or remolded Source: http://www.lotfi.net/recycle/Img0018.JPG
Metals • Collected • Separated into aluminum and steel Aluminum Steel Steel sells Shredded Flattened at $0.10/lb Cleaned De-tinned Tin sells Melted Drained at $4.413/lb Ingots or sheets Rinsed Baled
Recycle Anyway? • Paper is the number one trash in landfills • Plastic is made from petroleum • Glass is easy to recycle but even easier to reuse • Metals are valuable ores • Environment?
Improvements • REDUCE • REUSE • THEN RECYCLE Source: http://www.swansea.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=9442