Recycling major appliances

Major uses of PS are in packaging and containers, toys and recreational equipment, insulation, disposable food containers, electrical and electronics, housewares, and appliance parts. Expandable PS is used to pack electronic equipment, such as TVs, computers, and stereo equipment. Legislation was put in place in some states to insure the recycling of PS. Interestingly some of this legislation was written such that all PS had to be recycled within some period of time, such as a year. This legislation was changed to reflect the real concern of fast food containers when it was pointed out that less than 10% PS is used in this manner and that well over twice as much was used as house insulation that should not be recycled every year or so. 

Figure 4.2. (A) Workers are dismantling electric appliances in Taizhou. In 1980s, dismantling the scrap transformers containing PCBs as dielectric fluids has severely polluted the environment. (B) Open backyard burning of wires and other parts to recycle copper or other metals is very typical although it is illegal. The activity has been considered the major source of PCDD/Fs in the region in recent years.

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