Page 41 - Hub-4 Magazine Issue 75

Recycling News
correctly dispose of this chemical, trusting certified EPA disposal facilities. The general public is also advised against using appliances (such as fluorescent lighting to televisions) that were made before the 1980s.
Solvents (VOCs)
Solvents, otherwise known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), are often used in the construction industry to dissolve or dilute substances, such as paints or glues. If solvents contain dichloromethane (DCM), they can cause harm to humans, animals, and wildlife.
Solvent paints, for example, are considered a hazardous substance. Therefore, in order to dispose of this waste, it is important for professionals to follow the Hazardous Waste Regulation (2005). This involves classifying and properly disposing of hazardous solvent waste at a specialised facility.
How does the construction industry recycle hazardous waste?
One of the most environmentally considerate ways of discarding hazardous waste is through recycling. This encourages companies to adopt a circular process to waste management, an approach that minimises unnecessary waste throughout the design, production, and disposal processes. A circular economy is also beneficial for businesses, from lowering costs for the purchase of new materials to a reduction in any carbon footprint associated with the corporation.
Solvent distillation
Solvents (VOCs) are commonly used substances. The construction industry can choose to recycle this type of hazardous waste through a process named solvent distillation. This filters hazardous solvents, distilling volatile vapours and preserving pure vapours. These can then be redistributed into the industry.
Water treatment
Liquid-based hazardous waste, from acids to oily water and latex paint, can also be recycled. Water treatment allows professionals to extract water from these substances. This water is then reused on industrial sites.
To summarise
Sustainability remains at the forefront of public concerns and discussions. The construction industry continues to generate a huge amount of waste, but adopting circular practices can help regenerate these materials. So, moving forward, the nation must continue to strive to attain reusability in construction materials beyond everyday solvents and polychlorinated biphenyls.
Eggersmann
supply rotting
tunnels for
composting plant
in Luxembourg
Eggersmann Anlagenbau built a new composting plant in Monnerich, Luxembourg for the client syndicate Minett- Kompost. The official inauguration took place on 1 July 2022 in the presence of Luxembourg's Minister of the Environment Joëlle Welfring.
Rotting tunnel with tunnel filling unit
Eggersmann Anlagenbau replaced an aging composting plant of the "Wendelin" type with state-of-the-art technology. Due to the hall geometry of the old plant, the longest Eggersmann rotting tunnels to date, 42 metres in length, were built here. A total of 8 rotting tunnels with tunnel filling unit as well as the associated conveying and exhaust air technology were included in the scope of supply. In addition, a FORUS shredder, a TERRA SELECT trommel screen and a star screen deck, also from Eggersmann, are used in the new plant - all are operated purely electrically.
Material after treatment in the rotting tunnel before further treatment
The plant processes a large part of Luxembourg's organic and green waste. The throughput amounts to 20,000 tons per year.
www.hub-4.com July-August 22 - Issue 75
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