Recycle content

QIGNITE AND BROWN COAL] (Vol 15) Recycled-content mandates... 

Paper recycling has greatly iacreased in Canada, from one mill making recycled-content newspriat in 1989 to 60 paper recycling operations in 1995... 

Chicago, II., 26th-29th Sept.1995, p.279-86. 43C6 RECYCLING AND RECYCLED CONTENT FOR POLYURETHANE FOAM Hicks D A Hemel C B Kirk A C Stapleton R J Thompson A R... 

Traditionally carpet tile backings have been made from bitumen, PVC or polyurethane. There are problems with the environmental impact of these materials and they are difficult to recycle. Shaw industries developed their EcoWorx carpet tile backing using a polyolefin resin. This has superior environmental profile to PVC and is easier to recycle than bitumen and the cross-linked polyurethane backings. EcoWorx has lower toxicity, better adhesion and good dimensional stability. It is easy to recycle and can be separated from any fibre type used in the carpet tile. It works particularly well with nylon-6 fibres. EcoWorx tiles contain 40% recycled content and Shaw have established a collection and return scheme to close the loop. 

The increased importance of renewable resources for raw materials and recyclability or biodegradability of the material at the end of its useful life is demanding a shift from petroleum-based synthetics to agro-based materials in industrial applications. Increased social awareness of environmental problems posed by the non-degradable, non-recyclable content of their products is forcing manufacturers to enhance the biodegradable content, which in turn favors a switch to biomaterials [1]. 

The stated 25 % recycled content provision is not a limitation of the technology or regulations, but a business choice with the economic consequences shown. For processes that can use recycled PET more cheaply than those which use virgin material, the percentage-recycled content may be greater than 25 %. The 25 % content level has traditionally been seen as sufficiently high enough to represent substantial content. Marketers who advertise recycled content considerably less than 25 % are frequently met with scorn and derision. 

Figure 16.1 Price premium required for 25% recycled content PET 22700 tonnes annual capacity bottles purchased for US 132/tonne...

Other approaches to providing post-consumer recycled content are possible besides depolymerization. Depending on food safety regulations, recycled content in central sidewall layers and the use of especially cleaned, mechanically recycled,... 

Figure 16.2 Price premium, hybrid process, for 25% recycled content PET, with US 132/tonne bottles and semi-washed flake 15% before-tax return on investment...

Journal of Cellular Plastics 28,No.6,Nov/Dec. 1992,p.509-10 DOW INTRODUCES RECYCLED-CONTENT ETHAFOAM POLYETHYLENE FOAM THAT MEETS CONSISTENT QUALITY STANDARDS... 

This book has been printed digitally because this process does not use any plates, ink, chemicals, or press solutions that are harmful to the environment. The paper used in this book has a 30% recycled content. 

Fig. 10 Strain at break Vs. UV exposure time for polypropylene copolymer bars made from (a) virgin polymer (V) (b) virgin polymer + undegraded recyclate (U) (c) virgin polymer + photodegraded recyclate (P). Results for blends with recyclate contents of 10% and 25% are shown. (More details in Craig, I.H. White, J.R. Mechanical properties of photo-degraded recycled photo-degraded polyolefins. J. Mater. Sci. 2006, in press.)...

Automotive uses besides tires include belts, hoses, friction materials, mud flaps, air deflectors, brake pedal covers, caulks, and coatings. Like tires, the industry would like to see more recycled content in these applications. A total of about 112 million pounds of ground rubber is consumed in these applications. ... 

Retain. [Dow Plastics] Postconsumer recycle content plastiM. 

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