The Energy Impact of Industrial Recycling and Waste Exchange

Abstract

Recycling and waste exchange, particularly in the industrial sector, has a substantial positive energy impact and one that can often be accomplished at little or no expense. Recycling saves energy because the secondary materials being recycled are "pre-processed", and this requires less manufacturing operations than creating products from virgin materials. Process energy reduction possible by recycling is estimated to be as high is 95% for aluminum and 88% for plastics. Industrial waste exchange is facilitated by having an independent agency to publicize and coordinate materials availability and exchange. The North Carolina Energy Division is a co-sponsor of one such agency, the Southeast Waste Exchange in Charlotte, and has funded workshops on the recycling-energy connection and waste minimization. Although the paper, plastic and glass familiar to residential recyclers are also exchanged at the industrial level, in addition, industrial waste exchange deals extensively with solvents, oils, acids and alkalis and other specialty substances.