A composite contradiction?

Trex, the much-ballyhooed recycled wood/plastic composite lumber, is starting to show up in C&D recycling yards. And for all its supposed environmental benefits as a sustainable product, all recyclers can do with it is send it to a landfill.

According to recyclers, there is no way to separate the wood from the plastic and reuse the materials, so there is little to do with it except throw it away. As we have discussed in this space earlier (January/February 2004), this is another example of a building product embraced by the green community that will not be able to be used again once its working life is over.

"So what?" would be the expected response. But this same environmental community turns up its nose at that same recovered wood being used as biofuel, saying such incineration is not really recycling, yet it goes gaga over uses like composite boards. But let's look at that for a minute. Recyclers do enjoy the extra revenue that added-value markets like composite lumber bring in. But with both composite lumber or hog fuel we are getting only one more use out the wood. When we are finished with the composite lumber, that bulky material is now going to a landfill, with limited reuse opportunities other than maybe a chance to be part of an alternative daily cover (ADC) product for landfills. Yet when we use the wood as a fuel, there is less material (just the ash) left over to go to the landfill while we are saving on other natural resources such as coal, gas, etc., because we are recovering the material's Btu value. So, which is the more environmental alternative?

Viva Las Vegas (And C&D Recycling)

The largest trade show in the Western Hemisphere occurred in Las Vegas this past March. The sheer size and diversity of products and services on display for the construction, demolition and recycling industries at ConExpo-Con/Agg never ceases to amaze me. It's a safe bet that the more than 120,000 attendees for the 2005 show would agree.

Like any event of that size, there are cracks in its armor. The number of displays involving large equipment means there always will be slip-ups and slow downs in the set-up procedure, and 2005 was no different. Registering and getting badges for that many people is a logistical challenge that doesn't always go well. And, with Las Vegas fully recovered from the 9/11 doldrums, the local hotels don't really need the extra business in March, and some have proven less than accommodating to show attendees.

The Construction Materials Recycling Association (CMRA) is one of the groups that co-locates its annual meeting with ConExpo-Con/Agg. Its members find it beneficial to examine the equipment on display; plus partake in some of educational sessions that are integral to the show's success. It is obvious that ConExpo-Con/Agg is becoming a must-be place for vendors of equipment for the C&D recycling industry, as there were so many of them there in 2005 compared to previous years.

ConExpo-Con/Agg has set aside certain product concentration areas for different types of equipment. While there is no space set aside for if now, perhaps it is time that recycling got its own highlighted area at this show.