Practical Handbook of Processing and Recycling Municipal Waste

If we could understand the scientific and engineering principles behind recycling, our ability to use reprocessed materials would improve considerably. If we could then apply those principles, our efforts to process and recycle waste would be significantly more efficient and cost-effective. Practical Handbook of Processing and Recycling Municipal Waste provides all of the information necessary for vastly improving the way we recycle materials. It first develops basic engineering and scientific theories related to processing and recycling municipal waste. The authors then show how the behavioral characteristics of waste can actually be predicted with some degree of accuracy, hence turning waste disposal engineering from a matter of guesswork into a science. From Europe to the United States to the Far East, humankind understands the need for - and the challenges of - recycling and reusing waste. This handbook is the guide to successful, efficient waste processing and reuse.

Table of Contents:
Introduction Recycling vs. Reprocessing: The Fundamental Differences History The Nature of Waste Waste Analyses Waste Handling and Storage A Matter of Density Physical Characteristics of Waste Fractions Health and Safety Mechanical Handling Mechanical Handling In and From Storage Handling Systems for Various Materials Some Common Problems in Mechanical Handling Systems Health and Safety Considerations Composting in Waste Management Incoming Compostable Materials Waste Management Strategy Simple Windrow Composting Systems What Can Be Treated? Types of Windrow Composting Systems Mechanically Turned Systems Site Designs - Aerated Static Piles Site Designs - Mechanically Turned Wndrows Estimating Site Capacity Leachate/Surface Water Collection and Treatment Composting Site Operation Waste Preparation and Product Refining Legislation and Compost Standards Health and Safety Capital and Operating Costs More Sophisticated Mechanical Composting Systems Principles of Aerobic and Anaerobic Decomposition Aerobic Decomposition Plant Designs Anaerobic Decomposition Common Problems with Plant Operation Product Refining Health and Safety Biological Aspects of Compost Production and Utilization Introduction Biochemistry of Compost Processes Biochemical Aspects of Compost Production Composting Systems Compost Quality Stabilization of Compost Compost as a Source of Organic Matter in Soil Use of Composts in Disease Control Compost Markets and End Uses Conclusions Materials Recovery Facilities Materials That May Be Recovered Materials Recovery Technology MRF Machinery Designs Health and Safety Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Processes The Background of RDF - Technical and Legal Definitions RDF Process Machinery RDF Manufacturing Processes RDF Process Control Systems Operational Considerations Health and Safety Capital and Running Costs Combined RDF/Compost/Recycling Plants Initial Sorting Processes Conflict Between RDF and Composting Lines Capital and Running Costs Markets for Recycled Products Secondary Products Refuse-Derived Composts Refuse-Derived Fuels Some Alternative Product Markets Appendix A Weil's Disease Employee Safety Card Appendix B Example of National Standards Legislation Index