Grantee Research Project Results
Color Sorting of Post-Consumer Glass and Plastic Containers to Improve Their Recyclability
EPA Contract Number: 68D10044Title: Color Sorting of Post-Consumer Glass and Plastic Containers to Improve Their Recyclability
Investigators: Sommer, Edward J.
Small Business: National Recovery Technologies Inc.
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: I
Project Period: September 1, 1991 through March 1, 1992
Project Amount: $50,000
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase I (1991) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Hazardous Waste/Remediation , SBIR - Waste , Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
Description:
Many U.S. municipalities and communities are integrat- ing recycling programs in the management of their solid waste in order to minimize landfill requirements. The suc- cess of these recycling programs is strongly dependent upon the marketability of the materials set aside from the waste stream for recycling. The requirements for marketing re- cycled glass are well established and are highly dependent upon color sorting of the glass. Post-consumer plastics recycling is in its infancy and is experiencing rapid growth. Plastics container manufacturers and other users of recycled resins have stated that color sorting of post-consumer plas- tic containers can significantly expand the marketability of resins derived from these containers. Color sorting of glass and plastics containers for recycling is currently done by manual handsorting. The objective of the proposed Phase I research is to determine the feasibility for developing an automated color sorting process for post-consumer glass and plastic containers.Supplemental Keywords:
Scientific Discipline, Waste, Sustainable Industry/Business, cleaner production/pollution prevention, Technology for Sustainable Environment, New/Innovative technologies, Hazardous, Engineering, hazardous waste disposal, recycled plastics, hazardous waste recycling, plastics sorting, hazardous waste, sorting system, recycling, recycled glass technologies, plastics, automated seperation technologies, automated seperation, automated plastics sorting, plastics recyclingProgress and Final Reports:
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.