Waste Management and Recycling of Industrial By-Products

This study explores a systematic approach to waste management by identifying re-use and recycling options through a two-stage methodology. Initially, a questionnaire was employed to collect data on waste types, quantities, and current or planned recycling activities. The second stage involved categorizing wastes into eight classes based on their characteristics, performing a keyword database search using six commercially available databases, and identifying potential process options and treatment technologies. The database search, refined through keyword clustering, reduced 191,721 entries to 112,179, focusing on commercially viable practices. Various waste types, including chemicals, plastics, metals, and sludges, were analyzed for their re-use and recycling potential. The study identified several treatment technologies, such as chemical recovery, thermal recycling, and material reprocessing, with cost estimates categorized into three ranges. Additionally, specific re-use options for select waste streams, such as recovery of metals, mercury, and organic compounds, were evaluated. The findings highlight the critical importance of segregation at source to maximize recovery value and demonstrate the feasibility of innovative waste management strategies tailored to market demands and cost considerations.