Gerald Heller’s Post

Celebrating International E-Waste Day – Retrieve, Recycle, Revive! Today, October 14th, marks International E-Waste Day (IEWD), a global initiative that began in 2018 by the WEEE Forum This year’s theme, “Retrieve, Recycle, Revive”, emphasizes the importance of recovering valuable materials from e-waste, boosting recycling efforts, and giving new life to old electronics. With e-waste volumes growing at an alarming rate, IEWD calls on everyone to be more mindful of their electronics’ lifecycle and consider the impact improper disposal has on the environment. What is E-Waste? E-waste or Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) includes discarded electronics with plugs and batteries, such as phones, laptops, and home appliances. When e-waste is improperly disposed of, toxic substances are released, contaminating the environment. However, recycling e-waste can help retrieve valuable metals such as copper and gold, reducing the need for further mining and environmental damage. E-Waste in Nigeria and Africa The E-waste crisis in Africa, particularly Nigeria, is significant. 80% of the WEEE meant for recycling in developed countries is shipped to developed countries. Nigeria generated approximately 461.3 thousand metric tons of e-waste in 2021 alone. Across the continent, only 4% of the 2.9 million metric tons of e-waste is properly collected and recycled. Improper disposal allows harmful chemicals like lead and mercury to seep into the environment, affecting public health and ecosystems. How Can We Reduce E-Waste? Reducing e-waste begins with changes in how we use and dispose of electronics: a.     Repair and Reuse: Fix broken electronics instead of immediately replacing them. b.     Donate: Pass on electronics that still work to those who need them. c.     Recycle: Take e-waste to certified recycling centers to ensure safe disposal. d.    Smart Consumption: Purchase long-lasting devices to minimize frequent replacements.  E-Waste Recycling Centers in Nigeria  A couple of recycling centers are addressing the growing e-waste problem in Nigeria: a.          The Ecobarter Company: Engages in collecting and recycling e-waste, promoting sustainable practices. b.          E-Terra Technologies Limited: A leading recycler of hazardous e-waste in Lagos. c.           Hinckley Recycling Adrian C.: Focuses on environmentally safe recycling. d.          Lagos State Waste Management Authority: Provides e-waste disposal services across Lagos. On this International E-Waste Day, let’s embrace the 3R approach — Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and commit to Retrieve, Recycle, and Revive electronics responsibly. Join the movement for a greener, cleaner planet! #ewaste #retrieverecyclerevive #circulareconomy #environmentalprotection #reusereducerecycle #electronicwaste #3r #sustainablefuture #responsiblerecycling #cleanerplanet #ewasteday #internationalewasteday #ewasteday2024 #internationalewasteday2024

The Royal Mint is to start recovering gold from electronic waste to use in its coins and bars. The Royal Mint is aiming to initiate gold salvaging from circuit boards sourced from laptops and mobile phones at its plant in Llantrisant, south Wales. This move anticipates processing up to 90 tonnes of UK-sourced circuit boards per week, which could yield hundreds of kilograms of gold annually, intended for reuse in various products such as coins and bars. Presently, the majority of the UK's circuit boards are shipped overseas for processing in high-temperature smelters, estimated to be around 99% of the total volume. With electronic waste steadily increasing, Sean Millard from The Royal Mint highlights the growing magnitude of this challenge. According to waste research group Material Focus, Britons discard over 300,000 tonnes of electricals annually, and there's potential to recycle about 95 tonnes of precious metals like silver and palladium from these unwanted goods. Despite this potential, the United Nations estimates that less than 20% of global e-waste is recycled each year. Meanwhile, Greenpeace has raised concerns about Turkey becoming the new destination for plastic waste from Europe. The initiative by The Royal Mint represents one of several planned by waste companies in the UK to recover metals from electricals domestically. By doing so, they aim to minimize environmental damage, reduce reliance on new metal mining, and utilize processes at room temperature instead of high-temperature smelting. Scott Butler, executive director of Material Focus, emphasizes the significant potential in recycling electricals. He mentions that if all the unwanted electricals in the UK were recycled annually, there would be enough gold to produce over 858,000 rings. The Royal Mint also aims to recover silver and non-precious metals like copper, tin, steel, and aluminium in the future. Additionally, Eco Recycling Services Ltd offers total waste management solutions across Staffordshire, Cheshire, and Manchester. ♻ Trade waste 240-360-660-1100 ltr. ♻ General waste-glass-cardboard. ♻ Skip hire 2yard to 40 yards. ♻ Domestic and commercial skips. ♻ General waste-cardboard-scrap metal-glass. ♻ Walking floor services. ♻ Hazardous waste. ♻ Wee waste collection. ♻ Cardboard and plastic bought anywhere in the UK. ♻ Stand trailers. ♻ Bulker service. ♻ Machine hire diggers -Balers. Contact for current prices/rebates 💷 ☎ 01782938600 ☎ 📱 07925149668 📱 📧mark.sales@mail.com📧 #tradewaste #weewaste #weeewastecollection #walkingfloorservices #skiphire #domesticwaste #tradewaste #OCC #KLS

E-waste growing five times faster than official recycling rates: UN. SINGAPORE – Humanity’ s appetite for electronic gadgets and appliances, from phones to refrigerators to air-conditioners, is creating a growing mountain of e-waste that is causing pollution and billions of dollars in valuable materials being discarded, a United Nations report released on March 20 said. The UN’s Global E-waste Monitor report said the generation of electronic waste is rising five times faster than what official recycling rate figures show. Millions of tonnes of it are also being handled in poorer nations without correct processing sites or procedures. E-waste is any discarded product with a plug or battery. In 2022, the amount of e-waste generated globally hit 62 million tonnes – enough to fill 1.55 million 40-tonne trucks. If lined up bumper to bumper, the trucks would encircle the planet at the Equator, according to the report. Asia is a major source of e-waste – accounting for nearly half of the global e-waste generated in 2022 – and also has a low recycling rate.  Worldwide, the annual generation of e-waste is rising by 2.6 million tonnes annually, and is on track to reach 82 million tonnes by 2030. In 2022, e-waste comprised 17 million tonnes of plastic, and 14 million tonnes of other materials such as minerals, glass and concrete. Metals comprised about half of the e-waste total at 31 million tonnes – with a total value of US$91 billion (S$122 billion), including US$19 billion worth of copper, US$15 billion in gold and US$16 billion in iron embedded in the discarded products. Heavy metals used in electronics such cadmium, lead, chromium and mercury, and toxic chemicals in plastic components, can cause environmental and health hazards when dumped or incinerated. Globally, just 22.3 per cent, or 13.8 million tonnes, of all e-waste was documented as formally collected and recycled in an environmentally sound manner in 2022, leaving US$62 billion worth of recoverable natural resources unaccounted for and increasing pollution risks to communities worldwide, the report said. Large amounts of e-waste are handled informally around the world. For example, 18 million tonnes of e-waste are dismantled in low- and lower-middle income countries with no e-waste management infrastructure. Informal or unregulated recycling involves individuals or operations that dismantle and dispose of e-waste outside of government supervised waste management systems. While such contributions to e-waste recycling can be significant, this stream is not generally monitored by governments or reflected in official data. The concern is that informal recycling of e-waste can prove toxic for workers and pollute the environment. “Too often, informal recycling results in very low resource-efficiency rates and thus does not meet environmental or health and safety standards,” the report noted. https://lnkd.in/g8_VAcfH

Cutting waste to cut wasteful landfill and incineration Zero Waste Week is an annual online and on-the-ground awareness campaign starting on the first Monday in September (2 – 6 September 2024) designed to help householders, businesses, organisations, schools, universities, and local community groups reduce their landfill waste to save money, preserve resources and protect the environment. The organisers suggest participants set a goal of doing “one thing” to reduce their landfill waste. The problem. Each UK person throws away five times their own body weight in waste annually. Sent to landfill or incinerated, this is a resource waste. Composite materials like crisp bags and pet food pouches cannot be recycled. But many materials can. The other landfill downside is environmental damage when decomposition produces methane. The waste hierarchy The waste hierarchy is a common-sense waste management approach. The 3Rs – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – are written in that order for a reason. Recycling increases the life of valuable resources but is more energy intensive than reuse which in turn requires more energy than reducing the number of items bought and used in the first place. Recycling symbols. Recycling is supported by symbols on product packaging. However, their meaning is frequently misunderstood. Some of the most common are:  The Green Dot – this does NOT mean a product can be recycled, but that manufacturers contribute to recovery and recycling costs  On-Pack Recycling Label – explains what kind of packaging is used and if it is recyclable.  Plastic Recycling numbers – specify the type of plastic resin used. Local councils know which can be recycled at home.  WEEE – anything with a battery or plug is WEEE and must not go into landfill (hence a crossed-out wheelie bin) but should be returned to manufacturers and some local recycling centres. This content was provided by Croner-i and delivered to you via the partnership with the Birmingham Health, Safety & Environment Association. You can register to the free Croner-i Environment Lite platform portal for more facts, updates, and information online and straight to your inbox

Ireland's waste increases by more than 20% in past decade Ireland's recycling rate has stagnated in the past decade. Over the same time, the amount of waste generated has increased by more than 20%. The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) findings show Ireland is "now almost certain" to miss European Union targets on municipal and packaging recycling for 2025. In its newly-published Circular Economy and Waste Statistics Highlights Report 2022, the EPA said half of all waste generated in Ireland came from the construction industry. It also found Ireland's capacity to collect and treat waste is "vulnerable and underperforming", with 38% (1.2 million tonnes) of all municipal waste – which includes waste from households and similar waste from businesses – exported to other countries for treatment. And while 41% of waste is recycled, that rate has remained static for several years. There is a requirement to recycle 55% municipal waste by 2025. Reuse and recovery of materials high David Flynn, Director of the EPA, said the report showed progress towards a circular economy, where materials are kept in use for as long as possible through reuse, repair and repurposing before recycling, had stalled. "Current measures to prevent waste, to promote reuse and to encourage recycling are not enough to meet mandatory municipal waste and plastic packaging targets. "The challenge for Ireland is to reverse these trends and significantly reduce waste production and increase reuse and recycling. "Strong implementation of existing policies and the introduction of new measures that support investment in new circular economy infrastructure will help move us away from a wasteful linear economy." Reuse and recovery of materials were high in the construction sector (82%). The sector has a target of recovering 70% of materials, mostly through back filling or land restoration. 'Deeper change' needed The EPA's Circular Economy Programme Manager said high consumption of raw materials characterised the economy of Ireland. "Deeper change is needed right across the economy to accelerate the transition to a more circular economy," said Warren Phelan. "Effective regulation, incentives and enforcement are required to influence businesses and consumers to adopt best practices in production, supply, purchasing, use and reuse of goods, products and services." The 41% Irish recycling rate for 2022 compares to 49.7% in Northern Ireland in 2022/23. https://lnkd.in/gf5ifHEn

#Talentserve#task31#blog1 Effiency in a recycling: recycling efficiency of a recycling process means the ratio obtained by dividing the mass of output fractions accounting for recycling by the mass of the waste batteries input fraction, expressed as a percentage; Sample 1Sample 2Sample 3. More and more people recycle everyday. This helps to reduce the need for landfill and more costly forms of disposal. Recycling also reduces the need for extracting (mining, quarrying and logging), refining and processing raw materials all of which create substantial air and water pollution. The efficiency of recycling batteries: This regulation stipulates how the efficiency of battery recycling processes must be calculated and mustnot fall below 75% by mass for NiCd batteries, 65% for lead and 50% for all other battery chemistries. These existing minimumrules are valid until 2026 and will then be replaced by the quotas shown in the diagram. Recycling Important 10 Benefits of Recycling: 1.Protects Ecosystems and Wildlife. 2.Conserves Our Natural Resources. 3.Saves Energy. 4.Reduces the Need to 5.Harvest New Materials. 6.Reduces Carbon 7.Emissions. 8.Saves Money. 9.Brings People 10.Together. Educates People About the Importance of Protecting the Environment. Effective Waste Disposal Methods Methods to overcome the above issues include reuse and recycling which help to mitigate the harmful effects of waste by reducing the amount that ends up in landfill. Recycling conserves natural resources and reduces energy demands (for making virgin materials). The efficiency of energy from waste: This is where heat produced by burning waste produces heat, driving a turbine to generate electricity. This indirect approach to generation currently has an efficiency of around 15-27%, albeit with a lot of potential for improvements. Five Benefits of Recycling: 1.Recycling reduces waste sent to landfills and incinerators. 2.Recycling prevents pollution. 3.Recycling conserves 4.natural resources. 5.Recycling conserves energy. 6.Recycling creates jobs, producing economic benefits. recycling important speech: Recycling is the need of the hour as pollution is at a peak, and it is very much important to control it as soon as possible. Recycling is one of the ways to minimize pollution, so it should be implemented in every country by creating proper awareness among the people and industries. The seven types of waste result in the acronym TIMWOOD (Transport, Inventory, Motion, Waiting, Overproduction, Overprocessing, Defects), which can still be found in older guidebooks. Power efficiency refers to a compute resource's ability to convert electrical power into useful work with minimal waste or loss. It's typically measured in tasks per watt (or watts per task) and is increasingly important for coping with power-limited data centers and achieving sustainable computing.

Collection and Recovery of End-of-Life Tires: A Sustainable Approach End-of-life tires (ELTs) present a significant environmental and industrial dilemma. Each year, millions of tires reach the end of their service life, creating a substantial disposal problem. However, with the right technologies and processes, this waste can be converted into a valuable asset, promoting sustainability and advancing the circular economy. End-of-Life Tire (ELT) Management Stages: 1. Collection and Transport: Collection starts with the segregation of ELTs at designated points like tire shops, garages, landfills, and recycling centers. An effective logistics system is vital to ensure the safe and timely transport of tires to processing facilities. 2. Sorting: At the processing facilities, tires are sorted and categorized according to their condition and type. Some may be refurbished for reuse, while others are processed for material recovery. 3. Shredding: The tires undergo mechanical shredding, being broken down into smaller pieces. 4. Granulation and Pulverization: These shredded pieces are then further processed into fine rubber granules or powder for use in various industrial applications. Recovery and Recycling Technologies 1. Material Recovery Extracting rubber, steel, and textile fibers from end-of-life tires (ELTs) is known as material recovery. The recycled rubber is then utilized in various products, including shock-absorbing mats, sports surfaces, acoustic insulation, and industrial rubber compounds. 2. Pyrolysis Pyrolysis, a thermochemical process, breaks down tires without oxygen, yielding pyrolytic oil, gas, and char. The resulting oil can serve as a fuel or a chemical feedstock, and the char can be used as an additive in industrial processes. 3. Re-treading Re-treading is a process where certain tires undergo vulcanization and tread reconstruction to prolong their lifespan. Advantages of ELT Recovery 1. Lessening Environmental Impact   The recovery and recycling of ELTs decrease landfill waste and lower the risks of pollution from their unchecked decay and burning. 2. Preserving Natural Resources   Tire recycling conserves precious natural resources, diminishing the demand for synthetic rubber and other materials from finite sources. 3. Boosting the Economy   The industry of ELT recycling generates employment, fosters new technology and market growth for recycled products, and offers cost savings over new materials. Conclusion The retrieval of end-of-life tires is a prime example of how waste management can shift towards sustainable, circular models. With the adoption of cutting-edge technologies and effective processing, we can convert an ecological issue into a source of economic and environmental gains. Please consider connecting with me on LinkedIn for in-depth discussions on sustainable methods in the rubber sector and to investigate possible partnerships.

The Importance of Recycling Used Batteries to Protect Planet Earth. ............. The importance of recycling used batteries cannot be overstated, as it plays a crucial role in protecting our planet from the harmful effects of toxic waste and conserving natural resources. Here are some reasons why recycling used batteries is essential: 1. **Conservation of Natural Resources**: Recycling used batteries helps to conserve natural resources such as lead, cadmium, and nickel, which are used in the production of new batteries. By reusing these materials, we reduce the need to extract and process raw materials from the earth, which can harm the environment. 2. **Reduction of Toxic Waste**: Used batteries contain toxic heavy metals like lead, mercury, and cadmium, which can contaminate soil, water, and air if not disposed of properly. Recycling these batteries prevents the release of these toxins into the environment, protecting human health and wildlife. 3. **Prevention of Pollution**: Improper disposal of batteries can lead to pollution of our waterways, soil, and air. Recycling batteries helps to prevent the release of toxic chemicals into the environment, which can harm aquatic life, contaminate soil, and contribute to climate change. 4. **Energy Savings**: Recycling used batteries requires significantly less energy than producing new batteries from raw materials. This helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change. 5. **Protection of Human Health**: Exposure to toxic heavy metals from used batteries can have serious health consequences, including neurological damage, kidney damage, and cancer. Recycling batteries helps to prevent the release of these toxins into the environment, protecting human health. 6. **Closed-Loop Production**: Recycling used batteries enables the creation of a closed-loop production system, where old batteries are collected, recycled, and transformed into new batteries. This approach reduces waste, conserves resources, and minimizes the environmental impact of battery production. 7. **Economic Benefits**: Recycling used batteries can also have economic benefits, such as creating jobs, generating revenue, and reducing waste management costs. **What can you do to recycle used batteries?** 1. **Check with local authorities**: Find out if your local government or waste management agency has a battery recycling program in place. 2. **Participate in community collection events**: Many communities organize battery collection events, where you can drop off your used batteries for recycling. 3. Use battery recycling centers: Many retailers, such as hardware stores and electronics retailers, have designated battery recycling centers where you can drop off your used batteries. 4. Properly dispose of batteries: If you cannot recycle your batteries, make sure to dispose of them properly by sealing them in a plastic bag or wrapping them in tape to prevent them from coming into contact with other metals.

   A holistic approach to WEEE production and management in EU-28 and Greece. Evolution over time, forecasts and assessment of factors affecting sustainable recycling within Circular Economy model.          The long-term increase in waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) has created a major environmental problem, the intensity of which started in the 1990s, intensified in the early 2000s and continues unabated. Data that are submitted by the EU-28 Member States to Eurostat show the evolution of environmental indicators time between 2009-2020 and draw statistical conclusions.          Over the period 1980-2005, EEE POM quantity increased rapidly by 240%, while Weee Generated amount increased by 1% average each year. The short term estimate for Weee generation until 2030 is considered with the same increasing trend at a rate of about 2,7 %. Significant progress has been made in the amount of Weee Collected, which over time is increased at a rate of 47,5 %.          The minimum collection rate target set by European Commission, was achievable until 2018 by the majority of EU-28 Member States, however after 2019 and the introduction of a minimum collection rate of 85% of Weee Generated, only Croatia, Bulgaria and Poland have achieved it. The adoption of innovative recycling practices and technologies helped the improvement of the amount of Weee Recycled over time (2009-2020), recording an incremental change of 46%.          The pan-European recycling rate ranged between 78% - 83% and the recovery rate between 86% - 90%, defining the potential for energy recovery of residues from WEEE processing at 8,3 %.          It is noteworthy that between 2016-2020, the WEEE collection rate in the EU-28 countries experienced a saturation effect, which is mainly due to the performance of Western and Northern European countries, where progress in collection was not sufficient in relation to the increase in WEEE production, so that the collection rate improved.          In Greece between 2009-2020, despite the fluctuations, an average annual growth rate of 6,6 % is recorded for EEE POM quantity. The quantity of Weee Generated remains stable over time with an average annual percentage of 18% higher than EEE POM quantity. The average annual quantity of Weee Collected shows an increase of 8,3 % over time, reducing the nationwide collection to 4,75 kg/inh (80% lower than the corresponding European average). Until 2018, Greece has shown difficulties in reaching the minimum European Weee collection rate target, which remains 25% lower than the European average (EEE POM method) and reaches 50% of the corresponding European one with the second calculation method ( Weee Generated Method). The recycling rate has remained at 86% over time and the recovery rate is within the same range as the European average of 89%.  

The world generated 62 BILLION KG (or 7.8 KG PER CAPITA) of E-WASTE in 2022, ⬆82% compared to 2010, according to the United Nations Global E-waste Monitor released March 20th, 2024. 82 BILLION KG is expected to be generated in 2030, ⬆32% from 2022. https://lnkd.in/gQzeGaEp It also reported that: 💡ONLY 22.3% (13.8 billion kg) of the e-waste generated in 2022 was documented as PROPERLY COLLECTED AND RECYCLED. 💡E-waste generation is growing 5X FASTER than rates of RECYCLING. E-waste (or electronic waste), refers to all items of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) and its parts that have been discarded by its owner as waste without the intent of re-use. EEE includes a wide range of products – almost any household or business item with circuitry or electrical components with power or battery supply. E-waste differs from plastic and other types of pollution because it uniquely CONTAINS both HAZARDOUS and VALUABLE materials that enabled the EEE items to work, plus the fact that this category of waste, is GROWING FASTER than any other. Most e-waste ends up in LANDFILLS or part of INFORMAL RECYCLING SYSTEMS where the RISKS OF POLLUTION and HARMFUL HEALTH IMPACTS are high. Jim Puckett, founder and executive director of the Basel Action Network, an e-waste watchdog group, told CNN the results reveal that manufacturers are showing “a lack of duty of care” by failing to take accountability for what happens to their products at their end of life. “Manufacturers have to be dragged, kicking and screaming,” to make products that last, he said, “and not just design products for the dump, hoping they can sell us a new one as soon as possible.” Manufacturers need clear plans for the removal, collection and recycling of the toxic and hazardous parts of their products, Puckett added. Do you agree? Could our obsession with electronics and the overarching problem with our society's disposable culture be contributing factors? What can we, as a society in each country, do about e-waste? It is an opportunity for #innovators , #entrepreneurs , #startups , and #smallbusiness in every local community, to develop validated business models for URGENT SOLUTIONS TO UNSUSTAINABLE BEHAVIOUR aimed at overcoming the great human HEALTH and ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION challenges ahead.   WinSolutions | Winning Impact supports and invests in startups and SMEs with viable disruptive innovations in #biodiversity, #healthyfood, #nutrition, #healthcare and #renewableenergy spaces.