LOSS OF METALLIC ELEMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH ASH DISPOSAL AND SOCIAL IMPACTS

Economic, environmental and health-related impacts are discussed conce rning the loss of metallic elements associated with the disposal of as h. Municipal solid waste incineration ash (MSWA), thermal power statio n coal ash (PSA), and sludge incineration ash from wastewater treatmen t facilities (WTSA) were selected as representatives of ash, due to th e large amounts of them commonly generated. In the process of treatmen t and disposal of waste material, recycling (recycling and recovery) h as been recommended and a consensus on their performances has also rec ently evolved. However, waste treatment in Japan is not presently elab orate enough when the total social impact is considered because metall ic element recovery from waste such as ash is not taken into account. The total amounts of metallic elements in the ash were estimated. It w as found that recovery of metallic elements from ash by final stage re cycling could have reached approximately 30%, 22% and 45% of the alumi nium, lead and zinc, respectively, that were recycled by front stage r ecycling. The importance of the recognition of metallic element recove ry from ash is pointed out in order to pursue a better recycling syste m, which would further reduce the impact on the environment and human beings. Copyright (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.