Evaluating Waste Management Systems: Kataula and IIT-Mandi

Mandi District in Himachal Pradesh India is experiencing increased waste generation due to economic growth and the expansion of the Indian Institute of Technology-Mandi campus. This project’s goal was to develop recommendations to improve solid waste management at the IIT-Mandi campus and village of Kataula. Data on local practices, waste composition, and resident preferences were collected using waste audits and interviews. Findings indicated a need for better separation techniques on campus and a waste collection system in Kataula. Improvement guides were developed and delivered to address these concerns

Attractive Recycling: Recycling of Rare Earth Magnets

Rare earth magnets (REM) are powerful magnets that are commonly used in household appliances, wind turbines, and other technological processes. A growing shortage of the elements needed in order to make REMs as well as trade disputes between the countries exporting the materials cause fluctuating costs for both manufacturers and consumers. The goal of this project was to investigate ways to increase REM recycling rates in end of life (EOL) products and devise a plan to establish this practice in the United States since there are currently no systems in place. Through research of recycling practices in Europe and Asia, along with research of different magnetic separation processes, we have developed a plan to address this problem. We recommend that the recycling of REMs be integrated into already existing recycling processes with the addition of magnetic resonance damping to separate the magnetic materials from the basic ferrous scrap.2,3,5,6 Poster Presentation, Judge\u27s Winner (2014)https://digitalcommons.wpi.edu/gps-posters/1257/thumbnail.jp

Assessing the Environmental Impact of Automotive Recyclers of Massachusetts

This project was conducted to assess the environmental impact of the automotive recycling industry in Massachusetts. The objectives set forth by the Automotive Recycler\u27s of Massachusetts (ARM) were to determine number of cars processed, the type and volume of parts recovered, the amount of hazardous materials which were safely processed, and the environmental impact. These objectives were achieved through site visits to understand the business, a literature review of the industry, a survey for data collection, and an analysis of the survey results, including life cycle assessments for parts. This analysis led to the conclusion that automotive recyclers have a significant environmental benefit in terms of energy saved, carbon reduction, and the proper disposal of hazardous material

Writing in Britain and Ireland, c. 400 to c. 800

No abstract available