Typology of options for metal recycling: Australia’s perspective

While Australia has traditionally relied on obtaining metals from primary sources (namely mined natural resources), there is significant potential to recover metals from end-of-life-products and industrial waste. Although any metals recycling value chain requires a feasible technology at its core, many other non-technical factors are key links in the chain, which can compromise the overall viability to recycle a commodity and/or product. The “Wealth from Waste” Cluster project funded by the Commonwealth Scientific Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) Flagship Collaboration Fund and partner universities is focusing on identifying viable options to “mine” metals contained in discarded urban infrastructure, manufactured products and consumer goods. A key aspect of this research is to understand the critical non-technical barriers and system opportunities to enhance rates of metals recycling in Australia. Work to date has estimated the mass and current worth of metals in above ground resources. Using these outcomes as a basis, a typology for different options for (metal) reuse and recycling has been developed to classify the common features, which is presented in this article. In addition, the authors investigate the barriers and enablers in the recycling value chain, and propose a set of requirements for a feasible pathway to close the material loop for metals in Australia

Mineral-water-energy nexus: implications of localized production and consumption for industrial ecology

[21th International Sustainable Development Research Society (ISDRS15)] 10-12 July 2015; Deakin University, Geelong Waterfront CampusUrban and remote areas are increasingly using decentralised systems for renewable energy productionand storage, as well as for water harvesting and recycling and to a lesser extent for productmanufacture via 3D printing. This paper asks two questions – how will these developments affect (i)the end-uses of minerals, including critical minerals and (ii) the implications for industrial ecologyand the development of a sound materials cycle society. We find a trade-off between using higherperformancecritical minerals in low concentrations which are complex to recycle, and unalloyed, standardised materials for increased effectiveness across multiple reuse cycles. Design andoperational challenges for managing decentralised infrastructure are also discussed as their uptakeapproaches a tipping point

Product flow analysis using trade statistics and consumer survey data: a case study of mobile phones in Australia

This study describes an integrative approach to product flow analysis of (waste) electrical and electronic equipment using trade statistics and consumer survey data. We demonstrate this approach with a case study of mobile phones. Using statistical and empirical data for Australia over 1997–2014, we have shown how different sources of information can be collated and cross-checked to estimate the product in-use stocks and flows, product lifespan and lifespan structure, as well as to detail the product age structure in stock and at the end of life. From our results, the total number of mobile phones in in-use stocks in Australia has been estimated at 46 million at the end of 2014, or about 2 phones per capita. The proportion of phones kept in storage (not being in use) has been constantly rising, reaching 50% in 2012–2014. The average expected lifespan for a mobile phone sold in Australia decreased from about six years in the late 1990s to about five years in the early 2000s, and then stabilised at around four years (±0.5 years). The average time of active use for mobile phones was estimated in the range of 2.0–2.6 years (which includes first use and reuse). The estimated lifespan profile for mobile phones in Australia has been confirmed to be relatively similar to that reported in Japan. While this methodology presented here provided meaningful results, the accuracy and relevance would be improved by better quality of original data. Therefore, in conclusion, we also highlight potential improvements in consumer surveys that would help to enhance the analysis

Mineral-Water-Energy Nexus: Implications of Localized Production and Consumption for Industrial Ecology

Urban and remote areas are increasingly using decentralised systems for renewable energy production and storage, as well as for water harvesting and recycling and to a lesser extent for product manufacture via 3D printing. This paper asks two questions – how will these developments affect (i) the end-uses of minerals, including critical minerals and (ii) the implications for industrial ecology and the development of a sound materials cycle society. We find a trade-off between using higherperformance critical minerals in low concentrations which are complex to recycle, and unalloyed, standardised materials for increased effectiveness across multiple reuse cycles. Design and operational challenges for managing decentralised infrastructure are also discussed as their uptake approaches a tipping point

Developing a classification system for regional resource synergies

Even though there is a wide range of regional resource synergy projects throughout the world, categorisation of synergistic connections and their related benefits is not obvious. A detailed study of existing industrial regions has resulted in a proposed classification system for regional synergies based on their economic and environmental benefits. Depending on their type and effectiveness, synergies are classified into nine groups: from business synergies (strong economic and additional ecological benefits), to better waste neutralisation and disposal (economic cost and average ecological benefits), and to symbiotic synergies (strong economic and ecological benefits). The classification system forms part of a new Regional Resource Synergies Framework. Its application is illustrated here with well-known European examples (Kalundborg, Forth Valley), as well as examples from Australian (Gladstone) and Russian (Berezniki) industrial regions