Victorian Waste Management Association’s Post

Sustainable Adhesives: Sugra Project Researches Environmentally Friendly Solutions For The Packaging Industry “Adhesives are indispensable in packaging production: they reduce material requirements and enable lighter packaging, which is in line with the objectives of the new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). Although adhesives only make up a small proportion of total packaging, they have a significant impact on recycling processes, paper production and the CO2 footprint. The Sugra (“Sustainable Gluing with Renewable Adhesives”) project is dedicated to this topic: it is developing adhesives based on renewable raw materials that protect the recycling process and reduce the CO2 footprint. These adhesives meet the requirements of modern production techniques and promote sustainable production without compromising performance." Read the full press release from Baumer hhs GmbH here: https://lnkd.in/e-ShvGB8

Equipment for Automatic Sorting of Municipal Solid Waste The problem of sorting, processing and disposal of waste is becoming more and more pressing every year. The automated technology of municipal solid waste sorting is now recognized as a priority, which means for owners of waste processing business the need to complete waste sorting plants with equipment for automatic waste separation with recovery of recyclables suitable for further processing.

The EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) industry successfully completes the PSLoop project and demonstrates that the recycling loop for EPS with the legacy flame retardant HBCD can be closed. With this great achievement, the PS Loop stakeholders have proven that this innovative technology is capable of successfully removing HBCD from EPS demolition waste, contributing to a circular economy. https://lnkd.in/dvUwi48y #unipol #EUMEPS

The global drive towards a more environmentally sustainable way of manufacturing has highlighted the need to protect natural finite resources. This goal has driven technical development in the methods of reusing aged oxidised asphalts. Asphalt is possibly now the most recycled or even reused material globally. The value of old roads can now be harnessed and optimised for future generations using VIATOP plus RC - a real bitumen rejuvenator. The linked article below discusses the evaluation and validation of this technology and its benefits to the circular economy. https://lnkd.in/e9SFH3ZP

MEMBER NEWS | Welcome to Our New Member Carbon Upcycling Technologies!   Carbon Upcycling Technologies is a waste and carbon utilisation company focusing on creating innovative circular materials. With their patented technology platform, they help the hard-to-abate industry transform local industrial byproducts and natural materials into additives. They do this by using carbon dioxide emissions from any industry, combined with natural materials or industrial wastes—from coal plants, steel plants, glass manufacturing and more—to unlock new materials with improved performance and lower emissions. Our new member’s main market is cement and concrete, a significant source of global CO₂ emissions. Carbon Upcycling’s technology sequesters industrial CO₂, reduces the carbon footprint of cement, and improves concrete performance. By permanently storing CO₂ in industrial byproducts and natural materials (e.g. from coal plants, glass manufacturing, mine sites) they are improving performance and lowering the emissions of concrete. Carbon Upcycling operates through the principle of using waste as a feedstock. Their technology enables local, abundant and low emissions production of some of the most common materials such as cement, plastics, consumer products, fertilisers, and even pharmaceuticals.   Find out more at https://lnkd.in/gdFuaSi.

We are excited to announce that EnviroKlean has achieved patent pending status for our innovative Zero Solids™ technology, finally making the concept of solids-free discharge a reality for produced water recycling. Unlike standard recycling processes of dissolved air flotation (DAF) or “flock and float” that require chemical reactions that stimulate the production of waste solids to physically remove them via haul-off and disposal, EK’s Zero Solids™ technology creates a closed-loop system that leverages the power of chelation within chemical reactors to create reusable frac-ready fluid streams without the need to generate solid waste. The system that delivers this technology, EK Zero Solids Recycle™, is now commercially available to recycle produced water for reuse without the need for solids generation and removal, providing midstream water operators with lower recycling costs, extended storage life of recycled water in storage pits, and enhanced environmental sustainability. Click here to learn more about this technology and our recent advancements in solids-free discharge: https://lnkd.in/duqEb6-S

Electric vehicle (EV) battery recycling is crucial to a sustainable, electrified transportation system. The three types of recycling, summarized here, are discussed later in greater depth, including the pre-processing that must occur before recycling. This technology can be confusing and complex, so I have included a terms section for the italicized words at the end of this piece. - Hydrometallurgical recycling is the best available technology because it has high mineral recovery rates and results in low environmental impacts. It uses liquid solutions to separate minerals. - Direct recycling is still in development but has low environmental impacts and recovers the positive electrode intact, meaning this product skips a step in the battery manufacturing process. Direct recycling has lower lithium recovery rates than hydrometallurgical recycling but is ideal for manufacturing scrap and lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) batteries. - Pyrometallurgical recycling (smelting) is the least ideal technology because it does not recover lithium, aluminum, or manganese and results in the highest environmental impact. Additionally, the output must go through an extra step of hydrometallurgical refinement before it is ready for battery manufacturing.

Technology is playing a vital role in improving e-waste recycling with innovations like automated sorting systems, efficient dismantling techniques and environmentally friendly processes enhancing the overall sustainability of e-waste management. If it's still got a usable life left, finding a second home for used electronics puts money back in your pocket and keeps devices out of landfills. For what cannot be repurposed, consumers and organizations can contribute to responsible e-waste disposal by participating in recycling programs and using designated drop-off points. If we can understand the components, mining processes, and environmental impact of e-waste, we can make informed decisions to reduce, reuse, and recycle our electronic devices.

Last week, I spent one and a half interesting days familiarizing myself with Fortum Recycling & Waste operations in Kumla. What’s even better is that I had the opportunity to meet my team member, Annika Lorin, in person for the first time! 🤗The Kumla site comprises one rotary kiln for hazardous waste and one grate kiln for industrial and municipal waste incineration. Together, they process more than 150 kilotonnes of waste per year. Currently, the site is undergoing maintenance stop. People in Kumla are actively innovating new businesses, such as wastewater treatment services and the removal of PFAS and sulphate from waste water. Read more on PFAS-related activities in the article: https://lnkd.in/ddbT-erG

As this article in The Pick Magazine notes, the ticking time bomb that is electronic waste (e-waste) has a new solution on the horizon. In an announcement that could shake up the recycling industry, ASX-listed MTM Critical Metals (ASX: MTM) has achieved a breakthrough in recovering precious metals—most notably gold—from e-waste, using its Flash Joule Heating (FJH) technology. As the global pile of discarded electronics continues to grow, currently estimated at over 60 million tonnes per year, MTM’s innovation offers not just a lifeline for the environment but a solid commercial opportunity. The recent proof-of-concept trials saw MTM achieve a near 70% gold recovery rate, without the use of toxic chemicals typically involved in traditional metal extraction processes. Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/gS2aCWM5 Michael Walshe John Hannaford Paul Niardone Chapter One Advisors Colin Jacoby Alex Baker Jedd Penkethman