2008 Volume 45 Pages 271-278
The final disposal ratio of mixed construction and demolition waste (MCDW) remains high in Japan, while progress has been made in the recycling of other construction and demolition waste. Sorting facilities are expected to play an important role in better management of MCDW. In this study, the feasibility of sorting facilities for the separation of material and of pretreatment for fmal disposal was investigated by conducting a batch experiment at a real operational facility. The material flow of each output fraction was determined based on the mass distribution and on analysis of the ignition loss and metal content. The separation of organic matter and ferrous metal achieved by the sorting process was excellent; almost 70% was separated out for recycling and did not go for disposal. Although the distribution ratios of heavy metals, such as Pb and Zn, sent to landfill were still high, their content little changed from the condition of the original mixed waste. The process of sorting MCDW achieved reduction of mass for disposal, reduction of the organic load directed to the landfill, and the diversion of iron from MCDW to recycling.
