“Future is not an extrapolation of the past” (CK Prahalad) – The way to global resource management© Wasteconsult International (6/2010)
Based on own Prognos analyses the article shows the so far achieved recovery rates for selected waste streams within the 27 EU member states as well as the still existing resource potential - a potential that can also contribute significantly to climate protection. Looking back from the future the article describes the major challenges of our time and for our future and develops visions for a global resource management system.
Reduce; re-use; recycle – a global necessity© Wasteconsult International (6/2010)
The approaching exhaustion of many raw materials and expanding demand for resources due to fast growth of word population and increasing prosperity in many developing countries are a challenge for the world economy and will become a driving factor for enhanced waste treatment / material recovery technology. Quantity and quality of recovered resources from residual waste depend on the kind of waste treatment. Mechanical-biological treatment (MBT) and incineration are the dominant treatment technologies for residual waste and have to prove their feasibility for sustainable waste and resource management.
"At first, they just smiled at us": PVC window recycling pays off© Deutscher Fachverlag (DFV) (6/2010)
Apparently, recycling worn out PVC windows and doors pays off - at least for Veka Umwelttechnik GmbH. The eastern German company recently put its second recycling line into operation and is considered a specialist in the window recycling industry.
End of waste: The mechanism set forth by the Waste Directive 2008/98/EC© Lexxion Verlagsgesellschaft mbH (7/2009)
Identifying the moment at which waste ceases to be waste and once again acquires the status of a product is far from being a merely theoretical question. From a legal point of view, significant consequences can ensue from the qualification of a substance or object in relation to the applicable legislation for its management and treatment. An incorrect evaluation of the applicable legislation can lead not only to consequences of an administrative but also of a criminal nature. The consequences may also be significant from an economic perspective. The holder of a substance or object, which does not qualify as a product but as waste, must withstand all the negative consequences deriving from the fact that, compared to a product, waste is much less attractive to the market.
Consumption and recycling of plastic packaging materials. A research for the current situation in Thessaloniki© Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (6/2009)
Initially, different plastic packaging materials from super-market consumer products were recorded and classified according to the particular polymer type from which they are made of. Following, a questionnaire was formed and data were collected from a number of citizens in Thessaloniki during the time period 2007 to 2008. It was found that the plastic packaging with the highest consumption in a number or weight basis is general purpose bags followed by water and soft drinks bottles.
Production of secondary value-added products from the chemical recycling of PET bottles© Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (6/2009)
A research effort was undertaken to produce secondary value-added products (dimethacrylated oligoesters) from the products of PET chemical recycling by glycolysis. The final objective was to use these compounds, as potential raw materials for the production of UV-curable formulations, used as enamel paints or coatings for metallic surfaces in automotive industry.