- 1. Organic/Agric Waste recycling:
- 2. Aluminium waste recycling
- 3. Waste tyres recycling
- 4. Lead Acid battery collection and recycling:
- 5. Solar panel recycling
- 6. Plastic Waste recycling
1. Organic/Agric Waste recycling:
Egg Shell Powder Manufacturing
Egg shell powder, also known as eggshell calcium, is a natural product derived from the shells of chicken eggs. It is a finely ground powder that contains a high concentration of calcium carbonate, making it a valuable nutritional supplement and an essential ingredient in various industries. Egg shell powder is obtained by thoroughly cleaning and sanitising eggshells, removing any remnants of the egg contents. The shells are then dried and ground into a fine powder using advanced milling techniques. This process ensures the preservation of the calcium content while maintaining high purity levels. Egg shell powder is rich in calcium, which is vital for bone health, teeth development, and overall well-being. It is widely used as a dietary supplement in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical sectors.
Production of briquettes from rice husks, coconut shells, saw dust and palm kernels. These briquettes are used as solid fuels for clean cooking for people in the rural areas instead of engaging in deforestation and burning of wood which is not only a source of pollution to the environment but highly injurious to health. High economic advantage and enough qualities can be exported.
2. Aluminium waste recycling
Aluminium waste recycling
Aluminium, the third most abundant element on Earth, is an essential material in numerous industries due to its lightweight, strength, flexibility, and recyclability. Yet, it is the last of these traits—recyclability—that holds immense potential for environmental and economic benefits. Recycling aluminium uses only about 5% of the energy needed to create aluminium from bauxite ore, and aluminium can be recycled indefinitely without losing its properties One of the most significant economic benefits of aluminium recycling is energy conservation. It takes 95% less energy to recycle old aluminium than it does to produce new aluminium from raw materials. This massive energy saving translates to lower production costs and, ultimately, more affordable aluminium products for consumers.
3. Waste tyres recycling
Waste tyres recycling
Tyre recycling has transcended its role as a purely environmental menace
and evolved into an economically rewarding practice. Not only does it help
mitigate the environmental impact of discarded tyres, but it also generates
substantial economic benefits. Tyre recycling is not only environmentally
responsible but also economically beneficial. It stimulates job creation,
reduces costs, generates revenue, and fosters sustainability.
Tyre recycling generates revenue through the sale of recycled materials and
final products. The rubber, steel, and textiles reclaimed from old tires can
be transformed into marketable items, such as rubberized asphalt, sports
surfaces, and various industrial products.
Rubber Mulch
Rubber mulch is a popular product made from recycled tires. It’s durable, retains moisture and is good for drainage, making it an ideal material to use in landscaping and gardening projects.
Due to its lack of soil nutrients, rubber mulch can also act as a barrier between soil and sunlight, meaning that deters weeds and insects. It is also a much more durable option than using wood chippings.
Due to its lack of soil nutrients, rubber mulch can also act as a barrier between soil and sunlight, meaning that deters weeds and insects. It is also a much more durable option than using wood chippings.
Recycled tires playground
Due to its durable nature and shock-absorbent properties, crumb rubber is typically used to create synthetic turf for athletic fields or playgrounds and as infill material for artificial grass fields
Recycled tires for asphalt
Crumb rubber made from used tires can also be used in road construction, where it is mixed with asphalt to create a more resilient road surface. This has several benefits in that it reduces noise pollution, improves skid resistance and is more durable compared to other asphalt materials.
Rubberized bricks, interlocks and tiles
Rubberized bricks can also be produced with crumb rubber when it is mixed with other materials
like cement, sand, or clay. This construction material is beneficial as it has improved insulation
compared to traditional bricks and is more lightweight and sound-absorbent.
Shoe sole production
Turning Waste Tyres into Furniture:
Converting waste Tyres into Furniture and Work of Art is an innovative and sustainable solution to address environmental challenges. Repurposing discarded tyres into functional items like Furniture and Bricks reduces waste and conserves resources. This approach is highly impactful in addressing two critical issues simultaneously: environmental degradation and resource depletion.
Therefore, we must encourage and promote this sustainable solution to create a more sustainable future. The
repurposing of old tyres into outdoor furniture and bricks is a highly effective and sustainable solution. Tyre rubber’s durable and resilient nature makes it ideal for creating furniture that can withstand harsh weather conditions. Additionally, converting tyre waste into bricks is an effective way to reduce environmental pollution and promote sustainable construction practices.
4. Lead Acid battery collection and recycling:
Lead Acid battery collection and recycling:
Lead is one of the most recycled materials in the world, and the main source of secondary lead is from lead-acid battery recycling, with global recycling rates estimated at around 95%. Globally, lead-acid battery recycling is a $24 billion industry per annum, while in Australia, the industry is worth approximately $250 million per annum. Lead-acid batteries, in particular, have emerged as a critical component of the circular economy, offering significant economic benefits alongside environmental advantages.
Lead-acid battery recycling offers substantial economic value through the recovery and reuse of valuable materials. Lead, in particular, is a highly sought-after commodity in various industries, including automotive, construction, and manufacturing. By recycling lead-acid batteries, manufacturers can obtain a reliable and cost-effective source of lead, reducing their dependence on primary lead production and mitigating price volatility in the lead market. Additionally, recycling reduces the need for virgin materials, lowering production costs and enhancing supply chain resilience. It also helps local economies by creating jobs and expanding employment. Recycling facilities require a skilled workforce to operate machinery, perform quality control checks, and manage logistics.
Furthermore, the expansion of recycling infrastructure and the implementation of recycling initiatives create demand for ancillary services such as transportation, warehousing, and engineering consultancy, further bolstering economic activity and the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). In addition to direct economic benefits, this recycling contributes to resource conservation and cost savings across industries. By recycling lead-acid batteries, manufacturers can reduce their reliance on virgin materials, conserving natural resources and minimizing environmental degradation associated with mining and extraction.
Moreover, recycling helps companies avoid the costs of waste disposal and environmental clean-up, including regulatory compliance, landfill fees, and liability for pollution-related damages. By incorporating recycled materials into their production processes, companies can achieve cost savings while enhancing their sustainability credentials.
Lead-acid battery recycling offers substantial economic value through the recovery and reuse of valuable materials. Lead, in particular, is a highly sought-after commodity in various industries, including automotive, construction, and manufacturing. By recycling lead-acid batteries, manufacturers can obtain a reliable and cost-effective source of lead, reducing their dependence on primary lead production and mitigating price volatility in the lead market. Additionally, recycling reduces the need for virgin materials, lowering production costs and enhancing supply chain resilience. It also helps local economies by creating jobs and expanding employment. Recycling facilities require a skilled workforce to operate machinery, perform quality control checks, and manage logistics.
Furthermore, the expansion of recycling infrastructure and the implementation of recycling initiatives create demand for ancillary services such as transportation, warehousing, and engineering consultancy, further bolstering economic activity and the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). In addition to direct economic benefits, this recycling contributes to resource conservation and cost savings across industries. By recycling lead-acid batteries, manufacturers can reduce their reliance on virgin materials, conserving natural resources and minimizing environmental degradation associated with mining and extraction.
Moreover, recycling helps companies avoid the costs of waste disposal and environmental clean-up, including regulatory compliance, landfill fees, and liability for pollution-related damages. By incorporating recycled materials into their production processes, companies can achieve cost savings while enhancing their sustainability credentials.
5. Solar panel recycling
Solar panel recycling
Solar panels have revolutionized the way we harness the sun’s power. However, as the 20-25 year lifespan of these panels comes to an end—with the first batch expected to be scrapped in 2025 and continuing year after year—concerns arise regarding their disposal and potential environmental impact. This is where solar panel recycling steps in as a crucial component of a circular economy, ensuring that these valuable resources are not dropped into landfills but are recycled properly.
Solar panels are composed of a variety of materials, including silicon, glass, aluminum, copper, and more. These materials are not readily replenished in nature, and their extraction often involves mining processes that can lead to environmental degradation. By recycling solar panels, we can recover up to 95% of these materials, minimizing the need for resource extraction and the associated environmental impacts.
The solar panel industry is rapidly expanding, and with it comes the potential for a growing market for recycled solar materials. Recycling these materials creates jobs and opportunities for businesses focused on resource recovery and processing. This contributes to a thriving circular economy that promotes sustainable practices and economic growth. Moreover, recycling solar panels helps to reduce the cost of producing new panels, making solar energy more affordable and accessible to a wider range of consumers. This, in turn, accelerates the transition to renewable energy sources and reduces our reliance on fossil fuels. As we move towards a future powered by renewable energy, solar panel recycling will play an increasingly important role. By prioritizing resource recovery and circular practices, we can ensure that solar energy remains a sustainable and environmentally friendly solution for generations to come. Solar panel recycling is not just about environmental protection; it’s also about ensuring the long-term sustainability of the solar industry and creating a circular economy for solar panels. By minimizing waste, reducing costs, and making solar energy a more attractive and viable option to power our homes, businesses, and communities
Solar panels are composed of a variety of materials, including silicon, glass, aluminum, copper, and more. These materials are not readily replenished in nature, and their extraction often involves mining processes that can lead to environmental degradation. By recycling solar panels, we can recover up to 95% of these materials, minimizing the need for resource extraction and the associated environmental impacts.
The solar panel industry is rapidly expanding, and with it comes the potential for a growing market for recycled solar materials. Recycling these materials creates jobs and opportunities for businesses focused on resource recovery and processing. This contributes to a thriving circular economy that promotes sustainable practices and economic growth. Moreover, recycling solar panels helps to reduce the cost of producing new panels, making solar energy more affordable and accessible to a wider range of consumers. This, in turn, accelerates the transition to renewable energy sources and reduces our reliance on fossil fuels. As we move towards a future powered by renewable energy, solar panel recycling will play an increasingly important role. By prioritizing resource recovery and circular practices, we can ensure that solar energy remains a sustainable and environmentally friendly solution for generations to come. Solar panel recycling is not just about environmental protection; it’s also about ensuring the long-term sustainability of the solar industry and creating a circular economy for solar panels. By minimizing waste, reducing costs, and making solar energy a more attractive and viable option to power our homes, businesses, and communities
6. Plastic Waste recycling
Plastic Waste recycling
Plastic recycling plays a vital role in the circular economy by diverting plastic waste from landfills and transforming it into valuable resources. Apart from its environmental significance, plastic recycling also offers several economic benefits, contributing to a sustainable and prosperous society. Plastic recycling involves collecting, sorting, cleaning, and processing plastic waste to produce new products or raw materials. The recycling process typically includes sorting the plastic by type, shredding it into small pieces, melting and reforming it, and creating new plastic products.
One of the primary economic benefits of plastic recycling is the cost reduction in acquiring raw materials. Producing plastic from virgin materials is often more expensive than using recycled plastic. By recycling plastic, manufacturers can lower their production costs, leading to increased profitability and competitiveness. Plastic recycling offers numerous economic benefits that go beyond environmental sustainability. It helps reduce the acquisition costs of raw materials, saves energy, creates job opportunities, and minimises waste management expenses. Embracing plastic recycling is a win-win situation for both businesses and society, leading to a more prosperous and sustainable future.
One of the primary economic benefits of plastic recycling is the cost reduction in acquiring raw materials. Producing plastic from virgin materials is often more expensive than using recycled plastic. By recycling plastic, manufacturers can lower their production costs, leading to increased profitability and competitiveness. Plastic recycling offers numerous economic benefits that go beyond environmental sustainability. It helps reduce the acquisition costs of raw materials, saves energy, creates job opportunities, and minimises waste management expenses. Embracing plastic recycling is a win-win situation for both businesses and society, leading to a more prosperous and sustainable future.
Conversion of LDPE Waste Plastics to Interlocks (Paving Stones):
As the demand for construction materials increases, finding alternative, readily available, and cost-effective options is becoming imperative. The disposal of plastic waste in the environment poses a significant problem due to its low biodegradability and the vast quantities in which it exists. Homes flooded with water due to blocked gutters filled with plastic waste and streets cluttered with single-use plastics are constant, graphic reminders of this issue.
This project explores the recycling of waste plastic, specifically Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE), as a complete replacement for Portland cement in the production of interlocking paving stones. Recycling plastic waste to produce these interlocks would greatly benefit the construction industry by significantly reducing costs and promoting a healthier, more sustainable environment.
Turning Plastic Waste to Wealth:
Nylon and other plastics contribute significantly to the growing volume of solid waste. In plastic waste streams, polyethylene and polypropylene form the largest fractions, followed by polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which are currently underprocessed. Lesser amounts of other plastics are also found in these waste streams.
Recycling plastics typically involves mechanical processes where the plastics are shredded into smaller particles and then converted into pellets. These pellets are sold to recycling companies in Lagos, Oyo, and Anambra States for further processing. There is a growing market demand for these pellets, highlighting the potential to turn plastic waste into wealth by transforming it into a valuable resource for further production and recycling efforts.