| Abstract |
This research program was initiated with the overall objective of assessing and evaluating State-of-the-Art for recovery of glass and plastic from solid waste. Literature was gathered from numerous sources, contacts were made with industrial and recycling organizations, and questionnaires were distributed among applicable firms involved in glass and plastic recovery. Data derived from literature was collected, reduced and evaluated for technical, economic, and environmental content. Both glass and plastic industries were characterized by processes, material flows, economic dynamics, and waste generated. Methods for recovery, (e.g., collecting, aggregating, processing and transportating), and recycling were identified. Economic and environmental parameters are provided. Currently, labor-intensive source separation of glass and plastic predominate, although mechanical recovery will achieve greater importance in the years ahead. Finally, research activities and State-of-the-Art activities in foreign countries are identified. Where feasible, their relative importance is assessed. |
