Economic exchange of chemical and industrial waste

Abstract

Most chemical and industrial waste consists of low-value byproducts that frequently incur substantial disposal costs. Their value is low, or unrecognized, because of small lot size, intermittent generation, contamination, mixture with dissimilar materials, or concentrations that do not coincide with expected values for chemical supplies. Obstacles to recycling, however, are less technical than organizational and informational. Organizations that specialize in the chemical and industrial waste are “waste exchanges,” which may be “passive” (exchange of information is the chief characteristic) or “active” (exchange personnel seek opportunities and assist in finding uses). Exchanges are typically not government-run but often receive modest subsidies. Active exchanges are rather rare. Brokers, who tend to deal in off-specification product or batches that approximate commodities, appear to take less of the waste chemical market, and well-established scrap dealers take little or none. In-house groups, typically in large companies, may perform all of the functions above and serve as instruments for waste reduction. Waste exchanges, despite the unrecognized value of the materials offered and low participation by industry, have posted creditable records in number and value of exchanges. In-plant groups have spectacularly well. Measures to make exchanges, recovery and reduction more effective would be a higher quality of information, greater attention by management (perhaps stimulated by legislative mandate to try exchange before disposal) and vigorous promotion of the exchanges. Other steps include research in technology and economic incentives that apply equally to capitalized and non-capitalized alternatives.