TRENDS & UPDATES
13recyclinginternational.com | July/August | 2019
IRELAND SETS NEW E-SCRAP RECYCLING HIGH
SCORE
A total of 36 131
tonnes of electronic
scrap and 856 tonnes
of used batteries were
collected for recycling
in Ireland last year.
These included an esti-
mated 3.2 million lamps
and light bulbs, reports
the WEEE Ireland recy-
cling scheme. A further 195 000 televisions and monitors and 13
million small appliances were also recycled in 2018. Large house-
hold appliances such as washing machines made up around 48% of
all e-scrap.
WEEE Ireland achieved a 65% collection rate last year, the equiva-
lent of each citizen recycling 10.2kg of e-scrap. The 856 tonnes of
used portable batteries sent for recycling represents a 58% take-
back rate, which exceeds the EU’s 45% target for battery collec-
tions.
‘It’s incredibly encouraging to see our continued progress for 2018.
Ireland is again best-in-class in Europe regarding collection of elec-
trical and electronic waste,’ says Leo Donovan, ceo of WEEE
Ireland. It was ‘amazing’ to see 83% of material collected being
reused in manufacturing, he added.
‘The increased rates of collection through retail outlets and at our
local authority sites show that the message is hitting home on the
contribution that individuals can make,’ Donovan notes. ‘However,
we can’t become complacent. We will only achieve long-term
change if we continue to manage our e-waste responsibly.’
CRITICAL QUESTION: HOW TO RECYCLE 12 000 WIND
TURBINES?
More than 2 million tonnes of composite materials were used to build 13
000 wind turbines across the EU. For recyclers, this still represents a niche
waste market. A new research project is hoped to foster much-needed inno-
vation.
No less than 12 000 wind turbines will be decommissioned in the next five
years. This means around 5000 wind turbine blades will need to be recycled
by 2020, with at least another 10 000 blades ready for dismantling in 2030.
These blades have an average life cycle of 20 years.
It is possible to recycle the valuable composite materials through cement
co-processing. Using this method, the cement raw materials are partially
replaced by the glass fibres and fillers in the composite, and the organic
fraction replaces coal as a fuel.
Expanding the range of recycling options is ‘critical’ for the industry’s devel-
opment, urges the European Composites Industry Association. That’s why it
launched a ‘cross-sector recycling platform’ in partnership with WindEurope
and the European Chemical Industry Council (Cefic).
‘The first generation of wind turbines are now starting to come to the end
of their operational life and be replaced by modern turbines,’ comments
WindEurope ceo Giles Dickson. ‘Recycling the old blades is a top priority for
us, and teaming up with the chemical and compositors industries will enable
us to do it the most effective way.’
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