Program looks to boost gypsum recycling in U.K.The U.K.-based Waste & Resources Action Program (WRAP) has started work on improving the recycling recycling, the process of recovering and reusing waste products—from household use, manufacturing, agriculture, and business—and thereby reducing their burden on the environment. opportunities for gypsum gypsum (jĭp`səm), mineral composed of calcium sulfate (calcium, sulfur, and oxygen) with two molecules of water, CaSO4·2H2O. It is the most common sulfate mineral, occurring in many places in a variety of forms. waste, sourced predominantly from scrap drywall, also known as plasterboard. The aim of WRAP's three-year Plasterboard Program is to support the separation, collection and reprocessing Reprocessing may refer to:
The program, funded through Defra's Business Resource Efficiency and Waste initiative, is also supported by the administrations of Scotland, Wales Wales, Welsh Cymru, western peninsula and political division (principality) of Great Britain (1991 pop. 2,798,200), 8,016 sq mi (20,761 sq km), west of England; politically united with England since 1536. The capital is Cardiff. and Northern Ireland Northern Ireland: see Ireland, Northern. Northern Ireland Part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland occupying the northeastern portion of the island of Ireland. Area: 5,461 sq mi (14,144 sq km). Population (2001): 1,685,267. . During the first year, the focus will be on developing existing and new recycling processes and on expanding the range of commercially viable end uses. A tender competition for R&D projects, operational trials and demonstration projects will be launched to explore the opportunities for recycled gypsum in a number of different applications such as construction and agriculture, as well as examining opportunities for more efficient collection and segregation segregation: see apartheid; integration. . The R&D projects will look at early research into new applications, while the trials are designed to test the practical and market viability of existing and new processes on a commercial scale. The trial projects will also demonstrating the key benefits in a real life situation. To shape the work of the Plasterboard Program as it moves forward, WRAP took the first step towards establishing a new industry in early August when it held a meeting in London known as the Plasterboard Forum. The aim of the Plasterboard Forum is to enable full consultation at every level of the supply chain, from manufacturers, suppliers and users of gypsum products through to recyclers of gypsum waste. A report on the outcome of the first forum will be available shortly on WRAP's new Plasterboard Web site at www.wrap.org.uk/materials/plaster board. "We have to understand the needs and concerns of the supply chain, and the establishment of an effective stakeholder stakeholder n. a person having in his/her possession (holding) money or property in which he/she has no interest, right or title, awaiting the outcome of a dispute between two or more claimants to the money or property. forum has been a priority for WRAP," says Liz Goodwin, WRAP's director of materials. "Consultation will be essential to the delivery of sustainable recycling solutions for gypsum waste in future." Moving forward, a key part of the WRAP's Plasterboard Program will also be a range of support mechanisms for small businesses involved in reprocessing plasterboard or in using recycled gypsum. For instance, WRAP's Business Development Service will offer business and investment advice to small businesses involved in reprocessing drywall or in using the reclaimed re·claim tr.v. re·claimed, re·claim·ing, re·claims 1. To bring into or return to a suitable condition for use, as cultivation or habitation: reclaim marshlands; reclaim strip-mined land. material. |
|
||||||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion