On the way to 'zero waste' management: Recovery potential of elements, including rare earth elements, from fine fraction of waste. (10th June 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Burlakovs, Juris; Jani, Yahya; Kriipsalu, Mait; Vincevica-Gaile, Zane; Kaczala, Fabio; Celma, Gunita; Ozola, Ruta; Rozina, Laine; Rudovica, Vita; Hogland, Marika; Viksna, Arturs; Pehme, Kaur-Mikk; Hogland, William; Klavins, Maris
• Is Part Of: Journal of cleaner production. Volume 186(2018)
• Page Start: 81
• Page End: 90
• Publication Date: 2018-06-10
• Subjects: Circular economy -- Element recovery -- Landfill mining -- Zero waste concept -- Waste valorisation; Factory and trade waste -- Management -- Periodicals; Manufactures -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Déchets industriels -- Gestion -- Périodiques; Usines -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; 628.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.03.102
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-6526

Abstract

Abstract: Existing schemes of solid waste handling have been improved implementing advanced systems for recovery and reuse of various materials. Nowadays, the 'zero waste' concept is becoming more topical through the reduction of disposed waste. Recovery of metals, nutrients and other materials that can be returned to the material cycles still remain as a challenge for future. Landfill mining (LFM) is one of the approaches that can deal with former dumpsites, and derived materials may become important for circular economy within the concept 'beyond the zero waste'. Perspectives of material recovery can include recycling of critical industrial metals, including rare earth elements (REEs). The LFM projects performed in the Baltic Region along with a conventional source separation of iron-scrap, plastics etc. have shown that the potential of fine-grained fractions (including clay and colloidal matter) of excavated waste have considerably large amounts of potentially valuable metals and distinct REEs. In this paper analytical screening studies are discussed extending the understanding of element content in fine fraction of waste derived from excavated, separated and screened waste in a perspective of circular economy. Technological feasibility was evaluated by using modified sequential extraction technique where easy extractable amount of metals can be estimated. Results revealed that considerable concentrations of Mn (418–823 mg/kg), Ni (41–84 mg/kg), Co (10.7–19.3 mg/kg) and Cd (1.0–3.0 mg/kg) were detected in fine fraction (<10 mm) of waste sampled from Högbytorp landfill, while Cr (49–518 mg/kg) and Pb (30–264 mg/kg) were found in fine fraction (<10 mm) of waste from Torma landfill revealing wide heterogeneity of tested samples. Waste should become a utilizable resource closing the loop of anthropogenic material cycle as the hidden potential of valuable materials in dumps is considerable. Highlights: LFM derived materials are important within the concept of 'beyond the zero waste'. Fine fraction of waste from landfills were studied to detect content of elements. Possible risks arise from particular elemental composition of waste. Recovery of valuable elements (e.g., Ni, Co, La, Nd, Y) is perspective.