E-Waste Plastics recycling
INTRODUCTION:
- 1. It is not a problem, but an opportunity.
- 2. Precious Metals: Gold, Silver, Palladium, Aluminium and Copper.
- 3. Hazardous Elements: Cadmium, Lead & Mercury
- 4. Breakup: (i) Computer Equipment - 70% (ii) Telecom/Phones - 14% (iii) Electrical Equipment - 9% (iv) Medical Equipment - 7%
- 5. Precious Metals are recovered and the shell i.e. PLASTICS is Perceived as a Problem.
- 6. Plastics: (i) ABS (ii) BFR ABS (iii) PC/ABS (iv) FR PC/ABS (v) HIPS (vi) PP & others
RECLAIM & RECYCLING PLASTICS:
- 1. Polymer and colourwise sorting.
- 2. Making Plastic Granules that have a GOOD BALANCE BETWEEN PROPERTIES & PROCESSABILITY.
- 3. Preventing Thermoxidative degradation.
- 4. Addressing Blend Morphology and Tg changes. If the delta of Tg is high then better compatibilization and RHEOLOGY MODIFICATION are essential.
- 5. Rheology Modification: (i) Minimize Flow Inconsistencies (ii) Melt Homogenization (iii) Melt Stabilization.
- 6. Process: Size reduction → Pulverizing → Mixing → Extrusion
- 7. Usually BLACK colour dominates.
REMARKS:
- 1. Current Global E-WASTE is 70 Million Metric Tonnes.
- 2. EPR: Extended Producer Responsibility applicable on E-Waste. (i) Producer (ii) BULK User (iii) Bulk Importer (iv) Recycle & Collection of E-Waste.
- In India, the authorization is given by CPCB. It's a Positive method to deal locally and NOT EXPORT.
E-waste plastics consist of 14 different Polymers and the same have been successfully reclaimed and recycled.
