Evaluation of recycling policies for PET bottles based on multiattribute utility indices

This study focused on waste plastic, especially the polyethylene telephthalate (PET) bottle as representative waste, which has been assigned as goods to be recycled by the Packaging Waste Recycling Law in Japan. We developed a plastic transport model which explained the entire flow of plastic from the production stage to the disposal stage within an the evaluation model of plastic recycle policy based on multiattribute utility theory. This model is designed to be used by local municipal governments in supporting the evaluation of the PET bottle recycling policy. In evaluating the plastics recycling policy, we selected indices relating to economy, ecology, and rate of resource recycling. The results indicate that when the evaluation of the material recycling policy and thermal recycling policy in the model city were characterized in terms of their economic and environmental aspects the thermal recycling policy had the highest utility within our scenario. Received: July 31, 1998 / Accepted: January 26, 1999     

Use of plastic waste (poly-ethylene terephthalate) in asphalt concrete mixture as aggregate replacement.

One of the environmental issues in most regions of Iran is the large number of bottles made from poly-ethylene terephthalate (PET) deposited in domestic wastes and landfills. Due to the high volume of these bottles, more than 1 million m3 landfill space is needed for disposal every year. The purpose of this experimental study was to investigate the possibility of using PET waste in asphalt concrete mixes as aggregate replacement (Plastiphalt) to reduce the environmental effects of PET disposal. For this purpose the mechanical properties of plastiphalt mixes were compared with control samples. This study focused on the parameters of Marshall stability, flow, Marshall quotient (stability-to-flow ratio) and density. The waste PET used in this study was in the form of granules of about 3 mm diameter which would replace (by volume) a portion of the mineral coarse aggregates of an equal size (2.36-4.75 mm). In all prepared mixes the determined 6.6% optimum bitumen content was used. In this investigation, five different percentages of coarse aggregate replacement were used. The results showed that the aggregate replacement of 20% by volume with PET granules would result in a reduction of 2.8% in bulk compacted mix density. The value of flow in the plastiphalt mix was lower than that of the control samples. The results also showed that when PET was used as partial aggregate replacement, the corresponding Marshall stability and Marshall quotient were almost the same as for the control samples. According to most of specification requirement, these results introduce an asphalt mix that has properties that makes it suitable for practical use and furthermore, the recycling of PET for asphalt concrete roads helps alleviate an environmental problem and saves energy.     

广州市建筑垃圾资源化的必要性分析

摘要：随着广州市城市化进程的不断加快,城市建筑垃圾的排出量也在快速增长,如何应对和处理建筑垃圾所带来的“垃圾围城”困境,已经成为人们不得不面对的重要问题,推进建筑垃圾资源化是开展建筑垃圾综合治理的有效途径。论述了建筑垃圾资源化再生利用的必要性、紧迫性,指出了广州市建筑垃圾资源化过程中存在的问题,为推进广州市建筑垃圾综合处理实践提供了参考。     

Municipal solid waste management strategies in Turkey

Municipal solid waste (MSW) is a major environmental problem in Turkey, as in many developing countries. Problems associated with municipal solid waste are difficult to address, but efforts towards more efficient collection and transportation and environmentally acceptable waste disposal continue in Turkey. Although strict regulations on the management of solid waste are in place, primitive disposal methods such as open dumping and discharge into surface water have been used in various parts of Turkey. This study presents a brief history of the legislative trends in Turkey for MSW management. The study also presents the MSW responsibility and management structure together with the present situation of generation, composition, recycling, and treatment. The results show that approximately 25 million ton of MSW are generated annually in Turkey. About 77% of the population receives MSW services. In spite of efforts to change open dumping areas into sanitary landfills and to build modern recycling and composting facilities, Turkey still has over 2000 open dumps.     

Evaluation of municipal solid waste flow in the Bandung metropolitan area, Indonesia

This article covers partial results for research which was carried out to determine the effectiveness of municipal solid waste (MSW) recycling in Bandung metropolitan urban areas. It focuses on the results of waste flow analysis as basic information in developing better MSW management systems, especially in applying the reduce, reuse, recycle (3Rs) concept. The dependence upon final disposal sites in MSW management and the difficulties in finding disposal sites have resulted in interest in the 3Rs concept. In this research, the determination of waste compositions and the potential of recycling were evaluated based on data from interviews with householders, members of the nonhousehold sector, and recycling actors and on measurement. The informal sector activities observed were mainly from handcart crews, mobile scavengers, transfer point scavengers, final disposal scavengers, waste traders, and recycling business people at several locations in Bandung and Cimahi cities. The estimated waste recycling and composting by stakeholders has not yet achieved 10% (wet weight) of the total waste generated. As in other major cities in developing countries, the informal sectors hold an important role in the recovery of usable materials from waste. However, inorganic waste recycling activities from this sector have not even reached 8% (wet weight) of the total waste generated.     

The Chemical Recycling of PET in the Framework of Sustainable Development

In this investigation, all the techniques used in the chemical recycling of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) are critically reviewed according to the overall benefits together with the environmental surcharge that they cause. Those, which are consistent with the principles of sustainable development, are indicated. Experimental data are presented for the acid hydrolysis of PET and compared with previous results on the alkaline hydrolysis of PET with, or without, the use of a phase transfer catalyst. Overall material balances are carried out for the hydrolysis of PET. Finally, it can be postulated that recycling according to the scheme: is the only one within the framework of sustainable development. Therefore, the recycling of PET does not only serve as a partial solution to the solid waste problem but also contributes to the conservation of raw petrochemical products and energy.     

北京市居民PET饮料瓶的消费及回收行为研究

2010年,中国成为世界上PET饮料瓶使用量最大的国家,但中国目前缺乏正规、完整的废PET饮料瓶回收系统,导致了严重的社会与环境问题.因此,采用街头访问的方式,对北京市PET饮料瓶的回收情况展开调研.结果显示,消费后的废PET饮料瓶,44％被消费者存放在家里以卖钱,56％被消费者直接扔进垃圾桶.通过拾荒者、流动回收人员等回收者的回收行为,北京几乎所有的废PET饮料瓶都得到了回收,其中90％是由非正规的回收者回收的.回收后的废PET饮料瓶绝大部分都被小型的、非正规的、没有环境污染防治设施的小工厂使用.     

Searching quality data for municipal solid waste planning

Effective waste reduction and recycling is predicated upon credible data on refuse generation and disposal. Despite improvements in the quality of data for municipal solid wastes (MSW) disposal, dependable generation and recycling statistics to support planning, regulation and administration are lacking. The available aggregates on national waste production from two sources do not conform to each other and fail to serve the requirements of local solid waste planning. As recycling estimates will be difficult to discern, the collection of generation data based on weighing waste samples at generator sites has been portrayed as the key for developing sustainable local databases. The coefficients developed from the databases for the various categories of residential, commercial, industrial and institutional wastes can be used as variables for waste generation models.     

On achieving the state's household recycling target: a case study of Northern New Jersey, USA

In recent times, the State of New Jersey (USA) has been making attempts at promoting recycling as an environmentally friendly means of attaining self-sufficiency at waste disposal, and the state has put in place a 50% recycling target for its municipal solid waste stream. While the environmental benefits of recycling are obvious, a recycling program must be cost effective to ensure its long-term sustainability. In this paper, a linear programming model is developed to examine the current state of recycling in selected counties in Northern New Jersey and assess the needs to achieve the state's recycling goal in these areas. The optimum quantities of waste to be sent to the different waste facilities, which include landfills, incinerators, transfer stations, recycling and composting plants, are determined by the model. The study shows that for these counties, the gap between the current waste practices where the recycling rate stands at 32% and the state's goal can be bridged by more efficient utilization of existing facilities and reasonable investment in expanding those for recycling activities.     

Paper waste – Recycling,incineration or landfilling? A review of existing life cycle assessments

A review of existing life cycle assessments (LCAs) on paper and cardboard waste has been undertaken. The objectives of the review were threefold. Firstly, to see whether a consistent message comes out of published LCA literature on optimum disposal or recycling solutions for this waste type. Such message has implications for current policy formulation on material recycling and disposal in the EU. Secondly, to identify key methodological issues of paper waste management LCAs, and enlighten the influence of such issues on the conclusions of the LCA studies. Thirdly, in light of the analysis made, to discuss whether it is at all valid to use the LCA methodology in its current development state to guide policy decisions on paper waste. A total of nine LCA studies containing altogether 73 scenarios were selected from a thorough, international literature search. The selected studies are LCAs including comparisons of different management options for waste paper. Despite claims of inconsistency, the LCAs reviewed illustrate the environmental benefits in recycling over incineration or landfill options, for paper and cardboard waste. This broad consensus was found despite differences in geographic location and definitions of the paper recycling/disposal systems studied. A systematic exploration of the LCA studies showed, however, important methodological pitfalls and sources of error, mainly concerning differences in the definition of the system boundaries. Fifteen key assumptions were identified that cover the three paper cycle system areas: raw materials and forestry, paper production, and disposal/recovery. It was found that the outcome of the individual LCA studies largely depended on the choices made in some of these assumptions, most specifically the ones concerning energy use and generation, and forestry.     

Use of recycled plastic in concrete: a review

Numerous waste materials are generated from manufacturing processes, service industries and municipal solid wastes. The increasing awareness about the environment has tremendously contributed to the concerns related with disposal of the generated wastes. Solid waste management is one of the major environmental concerns in the world. With the scarcity of space for landfilling and due to its ever increasing cost, waste utilization has become an attractive alternative to disposal. Research is being carried out on the utilization of waste products in concrete. Such waste products include discarded tires, plastic, glass, steel, burnt foundry sand, and coal combustion by-products (CCBs). Each of these waste products has provided a specific effect on the properties of fresh and hardened concrete. The use of waste products in concrete not only makes it economical, but also helps in reducing disposal problems. Reuse of bulky wastes is considered the best environmental alternative for solving the problem of disposal. One such waste is plastic, which could be used in various applications. However, efforts have also been made to explore its use in concrete/asphalt concrete. The development of new construction materials using recycled plastics is important to both the construction and the plastic recycling industries. This paper presents a detailed review about waste and recycled plastics, waste management options, and research published on the effect of recycled plastic on the fresh and hardened properties of concrete. The effect of recycled and waste plastic on bulk density, air content, workability, compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, impact resistance, permeability, and abrasion resistance is discussed in this paper.     

小型废弃电器电子产品精细拆解与资源化利用初步探讨

随着工业化进程和社会生活的丰富,各种小型电器电子产品不断问世,相关废弃产品的拆解和资源化利用已经成为资源综合利用的重要课题.基于其分类与回收利用现状,就国内精细拆解与资源化利用问题进行了探讨,并以废弃手机为例,就处理原则、工艺流程设置和高值利用方法提出了一些建议.     

From Aminolysis Product of PET Waste to Novel Biodegradable Polyurethanes

Chemical recycling of PET has been developed by various methods. Aminolysis is one of chemical recycling methods of PET has been developed recently. The obtained product using aminolysis, Bis (2-hydroxy ethylene) terephthalamide (BHETA), has the potential for further reactions to obtain useful products. There are few reports on usage of recycled BHETA from PET waste to synthesis of polyurethanes. On the other hand, various biodegradable polyurethanes have been synthesized using polycaprolactone diol. Therefore, caprolactone is a new potential in synthesis of biodegradable polyurethanes from PET waste. In this work, novel biodegradable polyurethanes have been synthesized using BHETA. In this order, at first polyols with different molecular weights have been synthesized through ring opening polymerization of caprolactone by BHETA, then urethane linkages were formed using HDI (Hexamethylene Diisocyanate) without chain extender. Chemical, thermal, mechanical and dynamic mechanical properties, biodegradability, morphology and UV resistance of synthesized polyurethanes have been investigated.     

The consumption and recycling collection system of PET bottles: A case study of Beijing,China

After studying the recycling collection system of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles worldwide, the authors conducted an intercept survey in Beijing. Two separate questionnaires were issued, one questionnaire to PET bottle consumers and one to PET bottle recyclers. In this study, consumers are defined as people that consume PET-bottled beverages in their daily life. Recyclers were defined as those involved in the collection and recycling of PET bottles. These include scavengers, itinerant waste buyers, small community waste-buying depots, medium/large redemption depots, and recycling companies. In total, 580 surveys were completed, including 461 by consumers and 119 by recyclers. The authors found that consumption of PET bottles in Beijing was nearly 100,000 tonnes in 2012. Age, occupation, gender, and education were identified as significant factors linked to PET-bottled beverage consumption, while income was not a significant factor. 90% Of post-consumed PET bottles were collected by informal collectors (i.e., scavengers and itinerant waste buyers). The survey also found that nearly all PET bottles were reprocessed by small factories that were not designed with pollution control equipment, which allows them to offer higher prices for waste recyclable bottles. As Beijing is trying to build a formal recycling collection system for recyclables, subsidies should be given to the formal recycling sector rather than being charged land use fees, and attention should also be given to informal recyclers that make their living from the collection of recyclables. Informal and formal sectors may work together by employing the scavengers and itinerant waste buyers for the formal sectors. In addition to the recycling of PET bottles, concern should also be allocated to reduce consumption, especially among young people, as they, compared to other groups, have a stronger demand for PET-bottled beverages and will be the main body of society.     

The effectiveness of recycling policy options: Waste diversion or just diversions?

Recycling is becoming ever more important as waste generation rates increase globally. Policy-makers must decide which recycling practices to implement from the host of options at their disposal to best divert waste from landfill. This study strived to determine the most important characteristics in recycling programs that were associated with higher material recovery rates, including bag limits, user pay programs, the number of materials collected, curbside collection frequency, promotion and education (P&E) activities, Best Practice principles, and the type of recycling collection stream. Data collected from 223 recycling programs in Ontario during 2005–2010 were used to perform multiple regression analyses. The findings of this study suggest that attributes of convenience are more important to encourage recycling than those that penalize disposal, thus providing important implications for waste policy-makers, both in Ontario and in other jurisdictions.     

关于遏制废旧铅酸蓄电池环境污染现象的建议

近几年,我国废旧铅酸蓄电池的回收处理工作取得了很大进展,但由于各种原因引起的环境污染现象仍触目惊心.回收处理废旧铅酸蓄电池提取再生铅,与原生铅相比更节能环保,符合资源回收和循环利用法则.但目前回收和处理市场很不规范,存在严重的环境污染问题,着重讨论用政策引导的方式规范废旧铅酸蓄电池回收处理市场,实现资源节约和环境保护的双重目的.     

以回收利甩标准破解“垃圾围城”

生活垃圾处理已经成为各城市面临的难题。在已有研究基础上分析了城市垃圾分类收集存在的严重问题和影响居民实施垃圾分类的关键因素,概述了现有的垃圾分类收集标准和废弃产品回收利用标准内容,最后提出加强实施相关标准、促进垃圾分类收集的建议。     

Application of system dynamics modeling for evaluation of different recycling scenarios in Singapore

The influence of socioeconomic factors, such as population and rapid economic growth, and the change of consumption and living patterns make waste management in Singapore, a complex issue. Due to limited land and resources, the solid waste management scheme requires a comprehensive approach. Therefore, system dynamics (SD) modeling was applied to assess alternative strategies for solid waste management by interconnecting landfill capacity and recycling efficiency with reference to the projection on waste generation. Nine different scenarios were investigated to identify the best approach to maintain environmental sustainability without inhibiting the economic growth. Four subsystems (i.e., population, economy, waste recycling, and waste disposal) have been incorporated into the SD model to broaden the effectiveness of the waste management system. Research findings revealed that a high economic pattern and a high recycling rate are recommended to satisfy the requirements for economic growth and environmental sustainability while extending landfill capacity for waste disposal. Even though the balance of expenditure could be increased by the high recycling rate, it meets the need for long-term incineration and landfill planning.     

Issues and options for the safe destruction and disposal of used injection materials

It has long been known that the re-use of syringes can cause the spread of infections such as HIV and hepatitis. The production of disposable syringes was undertaken as a solution to the infection problem. In developing countries, however, there has been an unwanted result: the re-use and recycling of disposable syringes. One response has been "auto-disable" syringes that lock the plug and piston in place after a single use. These types of approaches, however, have resulted in greatly increased volumes of used injection materials. This is a particular problem in developing countries where contaminated medical wastes find their way into municipal garbage where people are known to scavenge and recycle. This poses obvious health risks, both in terms of direct exposure and environmental contamination. This study of issues and options for the safe destruction and disposal of used injection materials was undertaken using document analysis was to bring together and summarise approaches to the inter-related issues of "syringe re-use" and "clinical waste disposal". The authors suggest that holistic approaches to syringe use and clinical waste disposal need to be utilized in addressing the situation outlined. The focus is on technology and procedures that may be adaptable to rural areas in developing countries.     

Waste recycling policy in Hong Kong

The positive non-intervention policy adopted by the Hong Kong Government has successfully led Hong Kong to an economically prosperous stage. Nevertheless, the extension of this policy to the area of waste management and waste recycling is a major reason for the sluggish waste recovery rate in Hong Kong even given the fact that Hong Kong is experiencing perhaps the greatest pressure from waste disposal in the world. The official approach to waste recycling is one of bottom-up promotion and encouragement of recycling through environmental education. While environmental education is indispensable in the course of promoting waste recycling, the use of top-down measures, such as legislation and fiscal policies, may be needed for a sustainable waste management. Waste management in Hong Kong has meant “coping with” the continuous growth in waste volume. However, in other areas of environmental management, such as air, water and noise, economic and regulatory instruments like tax differentiation and legislative control have been employed thus showing that a deviation from the minimal regulation requirement is sometimes considered justifiable. The low priority given to waste management and waste recycling for top-down measures leads to the loss of a lot of precious and non-renewable resources, and detriment to the welfare of future generations.