[greenyes] FW: [jtrnet] Recs. for Research into Recycling Technologies?

["Eric Lombardi" <eric@no.address>]

Hi Charles,

Thanks for soliciting ideas, and I have a couple for you.  Eco-Cycle
operates a large MRF (160 TPD), plus we're always looking to the future.


Ideas:
(1) the diversion of organics from the landfill is a critical trend that
is growing, but as the numbers climb, so does the contamination of the
material, especially with plastics.  The world needs a "non-violent
screening technology" (i.e. no shredding) to clean up any organic
discard stream that could have up to 20% inerts in it.
(2) the hand-sorting of glass and plastics is a tough and expensive
activity, but the automated sorting systems on the market are too
expensive for most communities to afford... the world needs more
affordable automated sorting technologies.
(3) assuming that a collection system for the future is the 2-Sort
Wet/Dry system, the world needs a front-end sorting system for pulling
all of the non-fiber/non-container dry materials.  This stream would
include all the "dry" discards that don't currently fit into a
traditional curbside recycling program. For a complete list, go to the
City of Guelph website and look for the "detailed sorting guide" within
the Wet-Dry Program (www.city.guelph.on.ca) 

Well, that's my short list for today.  Eco-Cycle would love to partner
with you in researching these three items!!  

Cheers,

Eric Lombardi
Executive Director
Eco-Cycle, Inc
Boulder, CO
303-444-6634
www.ecocycle.org
"Recycling may not save the world, but  the recycling spirit might."

 
>Date: Thu, 08 Apr 2004 11:36:31 -0400
>From: Heizenroth.Charles@no.address
>Subject: [jtrnet] Possible Research into Recycling Technologies
>To: "JTRNET" <jtrnet@no.address>
>
>EPA's Office of Research and Development has begun planning for
>pollution prevention research.  There may be an opportunity to request
>research into improving recycling technologies.  Where do you think the
>greatest need for technical research exists?
>
>In the past, JTR funded the Recycling Technical Assistance Program
>(ReTAP) through the former Clean Washington Center -- an effort to
>develop more recycling technical expertise and improve recycling
>technology.  Also, some of the old JTR grants focused on new technical
>approaches.
>
>Please send me your thoughts on technical research associated with
>recycling.
>
>
>
>___________________
>Charles Heizenroth
>US EPA
>Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response
>(703)308-0154

Gary Liss
916-652-7850
Fax: 916-652-0485