RESOURCE RECOVERY MODELS are based on the idea of CONVERTING WASTE INTO SECONDARY RAW MATERIALS. The objective of this model is to OBTAIN ADDITIONAL USE FROM RESOURCES and to extract more value from them by DELAYING FINAL DISPOSAL for as long as possible and making production more SUSTAINABLE.
Sorting and Processing waste and converting it into a useable resource for further production is a good example of the circular economy in operation. A key step in order for this model to be successful is to identify ways of recovering products that have reached the end of their ‘original lives’ so that the valuable materials and the energy that went into producing them can be reused.
The resource recovery model can result in additional revenue for businesses that use it. For example:
• extracting more added value from existing resources
• creating less dependence on high-cost new raw materials
• selling the resources retrieved from waste to other businesses for use in their operations.
Some current examples are as follows.
Heat from waste products
Fuel blending is often the safest and most efficient option for destroying both hazardous and non-hazardous waste. The heat generated from the combustion of this waste can be recovered in some operations and used in the manufacturing of concrete for example.
Reusing organic waste from food or farm products
Many countries use landfill sites for waste from these sources. Modern processes are now able to convert this waste into biomethane gas. This is then used as an energy source to create electricity or hydrogen for battery or fuel cell electric vehicles.
Extracting precious metals and other valuable materials from mobile phones and other electronic goods
The rising prices of many naturally occurring metals such as copper and palladium mean that it can now be profitable to extract these and other metals from electronic devices and car exhaust systems. These reused materials help to reduce the need for ecologically damaging new mine workings.
Recovering oil and waste water
During the refining of petrol and other fuel products, oily sludge is produced as a by-product. An innovative recycling process now allows refineries to recover value from this sludge by using a treatment process that separates the oil, water and solids. Once separated, the recovered oil and water is returned to the refinery for reuse in the refining of crude oil.
Benefits of resource recovery programmes:
• They provide a source of lower-cost materials and newly exploited ones.
• If processed waste materials can be sold, a new income stream is created.
• They improve the public relations image of the business by developing a socially responsible operations process.
• Environmentally conscious consumers may be attracted to the business and its products.
Possible limitations of resource recovery programmes:
• There may be high initial capital costs in resource recovery locations and equipment.
• The extraction process may require energy and other resources.
• They may not be economically viable unless government support is provided – or newly exploited resources are taxed
and that increases their cost.
• Recycling sites may need to be carefully located, away from areas of habitation.