Focus - Recycling

Awareness for recycling continues to rise – unfortunately, so do landfills

Recycling programmes have grown substantially for consumers in the past 20 years. Waste plastics, paper and metals have garnered the most attention, helping to reduce the rate of landfill contributions. However, as much as those programmes have done to reduce landfills, other materials have taken their place. For example, the construction and electronics (computer) boom have created significant large items that are quickly flowing into landfills. These materials are more complex than the standard plastic bottle, and present significant technical challenges when trying to recycle.

Nviro's Outlook

Nviro believes that there are technical solutions to the recycling problems that the world faces. By matching the right university-created technology with the right market, innovative businesses can then be created to meet the growing waste challenge.

For example, Nviro's patented Microrelease technology utilises a continuous-feed, microwave based solution, to process scrap Medium Density Fibre (MDF) board - the wood of choice for the construction industry and furniture manufacturers. With over 18% of all MDF board produced for the furniture industry ending up in landfill, a solution to this solid waste problem is a priority. Nviro will meet this MDF recycling challenge by creating a novel wood recycling business.

Waste reduction is known by its three R's: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. As landfills run short of space and regulation tightens, the recycling of materials becomes a viable option.

• Construction: Over 8 tons of waste is landfilled from construction of one 2,000 sq ft home
• Electronics: 425 million PCs expected to be landfilled between 2000 and 2007 in the US
• Plastic: Only 5% of consumer plastics are recycled
• Waste: The UK is estimated to run out of landfill space within 9 years