Case Studies
Case Study 1:
The U.K. has an enormous problem, in that 5 million tonnes of plastics are consumed each year, of this 2 million tonnes is used for packaging. In 1998 the EU introduced the Packaging Directive and brought about Producer responsibility legislation in the U.K.
Approximately 450,000 tonnes of plastics packaging waste is being recovered and recycled, of which 65% is exported to the Far East, mainly China. Our dependence on these waste export markets is worrying given that this means that the U.K. does not control this market, but does have a legal obligation to meet targets set by the EU.
Mixed Plastics Waste:
The construction and civil engineering industries have a wide variety of applications for products made from mixed plastics waste replacing the traditional use of concrete and wood.
These range from:
End of Life Vehicles (ELV’s):
These present an ongoing problem recognised in the EU ELV Directive. Up to 85% is presently recycled consisting mainly of metals recovered by passing depolluted vehicles through a fragmentiser. The residual fraction is known as ASR (Automotive Shredder residue), which is used in landfill sites as a top cover. There are questions by many as to whether this should be allowed other than in specially licensed hazardous landfills as ASR is known to contain hazardous substances such as heavy metals and PCB’s (Poly Chlorinated Byphenols).
Our own research showed that products could be made using mixed plastics waste as a matrix to envelope the ASR. Independent and verified physical and environmental testing showed that the resulting products were safe to use in both the built and natural environment.
Case Study 4:
Tyre Recycling:
Rubber crumb recovered from used tyres has been used as a useful additive to mixed plastics waste. Including known percentages enables physical performance to be increased in a number of defined end products.
Case Study 5:
Carpet Recycling:
Markets have been developed to utilise carpet waste made from synthetic fibres. In particular exhibition carpet waste can be shredded and used as a base material for equine centres and training gallops providing it is relatively clean.
Our own research has shown that post consumer synthetic carpet waste provides a means to reinforce products, where mixed plastics waste is used as a matrix. Further development work and performance testing will be carried out to optimise products before their launch into the marketplace.
Contact us for more information
The U.K. has an enormous problem, in that 5 million tonnes of plastics are consumed each year, of this 2 million tonnes is used for packaging. In 1998 the EU introduced the Packaging Directive and brought about Producer responsibility legislation in the U.K.
Approximately 450,000 tonnes of plastics packaging waste is being recovered and recycled, of which 65% is exported to the Far East, mainly China. Our dependence on these waste export markets is worrying given that this means that the U.K. does not control this market, but does have a legal obligation to meet targets set by the EU.
- With the scale of the problem we have access to U.K. and European markets for products that offer environmentally sound, sustainable solutions
- These products compete with the products they replace
Mixed Plastics Waste:
The construction and civil engineering industries have a wide variety of applications for products made from mixed plastics waste replacing the traditional use of concrete and wood.
These range from:
- Capped cable ducting (rail track and motorways)
- Block paving
- Decking
- Fencing
- Street signage and traffic bollards
- Marine wharfage
- Floating pontoons
- Children’s playground equipment
- Agricultural stabling and pens
- Speed bumps
- Roof tiles
- Public walkways
End of Life Vehicles (ELV’s):
These present an ongoing problem recognised in the EU ELV Directive. Up to 85% is presently recycled consisting mainly of metals recovered by passing depolluted vehicles through a fragmentiser. The residual fraction is known as ASR (Automotive Shredder residue), which is used in landfill sites as a top cover. There are questions by many as to whether this should be allowed other than in specially licensed hazardous landfills as ASR is known to contain hazardous substances such as heavy metals and PCB’s (Poly Chlorinated Byphenols).
Our own research showed that products could be made using mixed plastics waste as a matrix to envelope the ASR. Independent and verified physical and environmental testing showed that the resulting products were safe to use in both the built and natural environment.
Case Study 4:
Tyre Recycling:
Rubber crumb recovered from used tyres has been used as a useful additive to mixed plastics waste. Including known percentages enables physical performance to be increased in a number of defined end products.
Case Study 5:
Carpet Recycling:
Markets have been developed to utilise carpet waste made from synthetic fibres. In particular exhibition carpet waste can be shredded and used as a base material for equine centres and training gallops providing it is relatively clean.
Our own research has shown that post consumer synthetic carpet waste provides a means to reinforce products, where mixed plastics waste is used as a matrix. Further development work and performance testing will be carried out to optimise products before their launch into the marketplace.
Contact us for more information