hrvatski

The possibility of waste toner recycling in construction industry - example of circular economy

Waste is a „mine “of valuable raw materials, so proper waste management represents one of key elements of sustainable development and circular economy. Today many different types of waste undergo mechanical treatment for the purpose of separation of usable materials from waste, including waste toner cartridges, to contribute to sustainable waste management system and to reduce exploitation of natural resources. Waste toner cartridges contain metals, plastics, magnets and waste toner powder. Because waste toner powder has high explosiveness and potentially high carbon content, waste toner cartridges are characterized as hazardous waste. To lower its explosiveness, additive based on calcite is added in waste toner powder in ratio 50:50 after mechanical treatment of waste toner cartridges, but due to high carbon content cannot be landfilled. Landfilling of waste toner powder could pollute the environment and dioxins and furans can form during thermal treatment. Thus, recycling of waste toner powder imposes itself as the optimal solution to the problem. Already waste toner powder is used in construction industry as an additive in production of bitumen and asphalt. The aim of this paper is to show the possibility of waste toner powder recycling in concrete industry. Mixture of waste toner powder and additive based on calcite was added in concrete in different percentage (1, 3, 5 and 10 %) as a replacement for fine aggregate. Research was conducted in laboratory scale and effects on properties of fresh and hardened concrete were observed. The possible negative impact on the environment was determined by leaching test. The research showed that the blending of waste toner powder and additive mixture in concrete gives satisfactory results at 1, 3 and 5 % replacement.

waste toner powder ; concrete ; environmental impact ; circular economy

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