A material of innovation for the electrical and electronic industry

Insight into consumptionand recovery inWestern Europe 2000

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Contents1 plastics – driving innovation 2 innovative plastics solutions

3 plastics consumption 4 plastics consumption in E&E

equipment 5 evolution of E&E equipment consumption

6 flame-retardant plastics 7 plastics waste in the E&E sector

8 forecasting future plastics waste 9 recovery options

10 sustainable development and plastics in E&E

plastics – driving innovation

In recent years, plastics have becomekey to innovation in the electricaland electronic (E&E) industry –developments that are changing ourlives and providing the technology tosupport us in a changing world.

The domestic and business worlds havebeen revolutionised by sophisticatedelectronics: more and more peopleacross the world now have greateraccess to information and educationthanks to computers, mobile phones, CDsand televisions. In the home, we havethe convenience of washing machines,dishwashers and many other labour-saving kitchen devices and electric tools.

Plastics are increasingly thematerial of choice in this sector. In1980, on average, plastics made up15 per cent by weight of all E&Eequipment. By 2000, this had risen to20 per cent. Designers specify plasticsbecause of their performance benefitsand efficient use of resources: weightreduction, miniaturisation, electrical andthermal insulation. Advanced featuressuch as high-density data storagesystems require plastics materialsduring the processing and applicationphase. The progress of the informationage has been made possible by theversatility of plastics, developed tomeet specific needs.

In 2000, 13 574 000 tonnes ofelectrical and electronic goods,including cables and electricalequipment were produced in WesternEurope, an annual increase of 4.3 percent since 1995. This included2 670 000 tonnes of plastics. This isan important sector for the Europeaneconomy, employing an estimated2.2 million people.

Electrical and electronic goods arecurrently an area of particular focusbecause of the proposed EuropeanDirective on Waste from Electrical andElectronic Equipment (WEEE). Thedirective would cover the 6 713 000tonnes of electrical and electronicgoods produced in Europe in 2000.Unlike the 1995 APME report Plastics –a material of choice for the electrical

and electronic industry, this reportconcentrates on those sectorscovered by the proposed EuropeanWEEE Directive.

The use of plastics drivesdevelopment of higher performance,more convenient and affordable electricaland electronic equipment. It also makesa valuable contribution in ensuringthis development is sustainable, inenvironmental, social and economicterms: use of resources is minimised,wealth and jobs are created andimprovements to society are the resultsof using plastics in the E&E sector.

Prize-winning plasticsThe world of plastics is evolvingconstantly due to the emphasison research and development.Traditionally, plastics are usedextensively in the electrical andelectronic sector because of theirunique insulating properties.

Chemists Hideki Shirakawaand Alan MacDiarmid andphysicist Alan Heeger workedtogether to create a polymer thatcould conduct electricity. Theydiscovered that by manipulatingthe number of electrons present,this could be achieved. The newpolymer was as good as somemetals at conducting electricity.

This innovative contributionwas recognised with the 2000Nobel Prize in Chemistry forMacDiarmid, Heeger andShirakawa.

Plastics in the office and on the movePlastics can achieve a level of performance no other material can match.Electronic devices depend heavily on this innovative class of engineeringmaterials. Laptop computers are the perfect example of where plastics havehelped a product achieve amazing reductions in size and weight, bringingbenefits in resource savings as well as convenience. The plastics casing has tobe lighter yet stronger, protecting delicate electronics while withstanding therigours of modern business life. Individual keys on the keyboard are made ofplastics specifically developed to be laser printed and maintain their appearanceafter thousands of key presses – plastics provide the solution.

Case study

innovative plastics solutions

Plastics’ unique combinations ofproperties makes them anindispensable material across thediverse range of electrical andelectronic equipment – whatever theirsize, shape or application.

Innovation in this sector leads toconstantly evolving product design. Forsmall appliances like mobile phones, this

The mobile phone is a perfect exampleof the complexity of small E&Eappliances. Booming use of mobiletelephones is fuelled by ever smaller,lighter handsets made possible in largepart due to plastics. Since 1992, theaverage weight of a mobile phone hasdecreased from 500g to 100g in 2000.Plastics make up to 75 per cent byweight of a mobile telephone, comparedto an average of around 50 per cent forsmall household appliances.

A complex variety of plastics andother materials is necessary to providea lightweight, strong yet small device –which is safe and user-friendly. All thematerials are integrated into tinyhandsets, rather than being separatecomponents. This produces a particularlycomplex waste stream, with a mix ofsmall amounts of different plastics andother materials that are difficult toseparate. Where mobile phone recyclingschemes have worked in Europe, it hasbeen through reclaiming the value of theprecious metals they contain.

antenna (safety) –elastomers

electronic components(insulation, heatresistance) – PA, PES,PBT, epoxy resins

screen (transparency) –PMMA, PC

housing (durability, lightweight – ABS, PC-ABS)

circuit boards (heatresistance, designflexibility) – epoxy resins

connectors (dimensionalstability) – PBT, PA

ABS

PS

PP

PU

EP

PVC

PC

UP

PA

POM

PET-PBT

PE

Relative plastics consumption in the E&E equipment and packaging industries (unit: x 1 000 tonnes)

Polymer

496

287

266

125

55

54

53

49

45

26

19

8

Notes: 1. Each sphere represents the relative amount of polymer used in the sector 2. Data does not include plastics used in cables and electrical equipment

2

PET-PBT 1 445

PE 7 514

PVC 689

PP 2 783

PS 1 014

has led to an increase in the use ofplastics and the number of differentpolymer types used, as smallerintegrated components are specified. Inlarger domestic appliances, the amountof plastics is also increasing, for exampleto improve insulation and reduce energyconsumption for refrigerators.

Compared to other industries, theelectrical and electronic sector uses a

broader range of plastics in smallervolumes, with each plastic having aspecific role to play. The chart on theright highlights this by quantifyingdifferent plastics used in two industrysectors: electrical and electronic andpackaging. Such a spread in plasticsallows for high performance productinnovation but does have implications forrecovery at end of life.

The mobile phone keeps Europe on the move

E&E Packaging

3

Plastics consumption by the E&E sectorwas 2 670 000 tonnes in 2000, anincrease of over 25 per cent since 1995.

Plastics in E&E equipment are highlyvisible, for instance in telephones,televisions and computers. However,there are also many plastics components,hidden from view, that provide theinfrastructure to connect and supportmodern lives. Nearly half of all the

plastics consumption

plastics used in the E&E sector is usedin sheathing for cables and electricalequipment. The unique electricalinsulating properties of plastics and theirstrength, stress resistance, flexibility anddurability make them the ideal material forsafe and efficient power supply. If weconsider the E&E equipment covered bythe proposed European WEEE Directive,1 483 000 tonnes of plastics were usedin Western Europe in 2000.

Excluding cables and electricalequipment, three major sectors –large household appliances,IT/telecommunications, and consumerequipment – account for over 85 percent of the plastics used in the E&Esector. On average, plastics accountfor almost 20 per cent by weight ofelectrical and electronic equipment.

E&E tools (drills, saws, sewing machines)

Automatic dispensers (floor standing hot/cold drinks, floor standing bottle/snack)

Toys (video games, electric trains, car racing sets, hand-held video games)

Medical equipment (pumps, x-ray machines, CAT scanners)

Lighting equipment (straight fluorescent lamps, compact lamps, high intensity lamps)

Monitoring and control instruments (smoke detectors, thermostats)

IT and telecommunications (LAN hardware, laptops, desktops, screens, small

systems, copiers, printers, telephones, fax, answering machines, public telephones)

Large household appliances (refrigerators, dishwashers, microwaves)

Consumer equipment (TVs, audio equipment, VCR, DVD, video cameras)

Small household appliances (toasters, kettles, irons, fryers, vacuum cleaners)

Electrical equipment (light switches, plugs, fuse boxes)

Total consumption in E&E sector, Western Europe 2000 (x 1 000 tonnes)

11

151

97

49

312

217 2 826

595

481

2 279

2 826

11

125

93

5

6 713

3 969

2 892

13 574

10

8

4

3

3

1 483

995

192

2 670

Plastics All materials

E&E tools

Automatic dispensers

Toys

Medical equipment

Lighting equipment

Monitoring and control instruments

IT and telecommunications

Large household appliances

Consumer equipment

Small household appliances

Total consumption for E&E equipment

Cables

Electrical equipment

Total consumption in the E&E sector

4

plastics consumption in E&E equipment

The consumption of plastics in theE&E sector generally depends on theuse of electrical and electronicequipment and demographics of eachcountry. Germany, France, the UK andItaly are the largest consumers, asillustrated in the pie chart below,together accounting for almost 80 percent of the plastics used in E&Eequipment in Western Europe.

The broad range of plastics used in E&Eequipment is needed to meet the differentdemands of a variety of appliances. Oftenindividual pieces of equipment containsmall quantities of many differentplastics. Large household appliances arethe exception. Here polypropylene (PP)

and polyurethane (PU) insulation accountfor 57 per cent of plastics consumption.

ABS is used extensively in theexpanding IT and telecommunicationssector for computer housings andtelephone handsets. This sector accountsfor 63 per cent of ABS consumption andthe 72 per cent increase in consumptionsince 1995.

Total consumption of PVC in the E&Eindustry is 474 000 tonnes whenincluding the PVC used in cables installedin buildings. The chart below right showsthe polymers included in the proposedEuropean WEEE Directive.

The main growth has been seen in themost innovative sectors driving forwardeconomic growth in Europe. In 1995, data

processing accounted for only five percent of plastics consumption in the E&Esector, yet by 2000 it stands for 29 percent. In the IT and telecommunicationssector, consumption has increased from337 000 tonnes in 1995 to 595 000tonnes in 2000. This is not simply dueto the rapid expansion of the sector –the amount of plastics used in IT andtelecommunications equipment is alsoincreasing, making up 26 per cent of thematerials used in 2000, compared to17 per cent in 1995. In 1995, largehousehold appliances used the mostplastics. Although this is still growing,by 2000 IT and telecommunicationswere using more plastic than any otherE&E sector.

Plastics consumption in E&E equipment, by sector, Western Europe 2000

IT and telecommunications 40%• Data processing 29%

• Office equipment 6%

• Telecommunications 5%

Small household appliances

10%

Consumer equipment14.5% Large household appliances

32.5%

Toys 0.5%

Medical equipment 0.5%

Automatic dispensers 1%

E&E tools 1%

Plastics consumption in E&Eequipment, by country,Western Europe 2000

Others 19%

Germany 24%

UK 16%

France 16%

Italy 12%

Spain 8% Netherlands 5%Plastics consumption in E&E equipment by plastics type, Western Europe 2000 (x 1 000 tonnes)

8 (1%)

19 (1%)

26 (2%)

45 (3%)

49 (3%)

53 (4%)

54 (4%)

55 (4%)

125 (8%)

266 (18%)

287 (19%)

496 (33%)

PE

PBT-PET

POM

PA

UP

PC

PVC

EP

PU

PP

PS

ABS-ASA-SAN

TOTAL CONSUMPTIONIN E&E EQUIPMENT

1 483 000 TONNES

PE (polyethylene) PP (polypropylene) ABS-ASA-SAN (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, acrylicester styrene

acrylonitrile, styrene acrylonitrile) PS (polystyrene) PU (polyurethane) EP (epoxy resins)

PVC (polyvinyl chloride) PC (polycarbonate) PA (polyamide) POM (polyoxymethylene)

PBT/PET (polybutyleneterephthalate, polyethyleneterephthalate) UP (unsaturated polyester)

1949

5

The past 20 years have seenspectacular development in the use ofelectrical and electronic equipment.This has meant increasing specificationof plastics as the ideal material tomeet the needs of the sector.

Forecasts indicate that plastics, withtheir ability to be made ‘fit for purpose’,will continue to grow faster than anyother material in the E&E sector. Datafrom 1980 to 2000 show how plasticsare clearly the material of choice forE&E goods, particularly in the mostprogressive sectors. While plasticsconsumption continues to grow acrossall sectors in the E&E industry, thegreatest increase has been seen in ITand telecommunications, with plasticsconsumption overtaking that for largehousehold appliances for the first time.

The unique properties of plasticshave also enabled the development ofinnovative new products. CDs made fromplastics regenerated the music industry,and enabled millions to enjoy betterquality recordings of their favouritemusic. They also increased access toinformation and eduction, for examplethrough encyclopedias published onCD-Roms. Laser systems for precisemedical procedures rely on plasticsparts and in the telecommunicationsindustry, plastics tubing protects opticalfibres allowing for fast transfer of largequantities of data.

evolution of E&E equipment consumption

Increase in plastics consumption in E&E sector since 1980 (x 1 000 tonnes per year)

1980 19951992 2000 2005

All materials consumption in E&E equipment

Plastics consumption in E&E equipment

Plastics consumption in IT and telecommunications

8 415

6 713

1483

5 306

1054

4 666

843

3 024

30 202337

595

881

411

Plastics – the materialof choice

The metal tub that keepswashing machines waterproofis increasingly replaced by amoulded plastic tub which hasthe advantage of being lighterand more affordable and easilyformed in the requiredcomplicated shapes.

Note: no detailed data for 1981-1991

6

flame-retardant plastics

Fire safety is an important considerationfor all equipment either using or carryingelectricity and generating heat. Plasticsare derived from fossil fuels and, as aresult retain some of their properties.In particular, plastics can ignite whenexposed to a direct open flame.

In order to ensure the safety of certainE&E equipment, the plastics industry hasdeveloped plastics containing additives,known as flame retardants, to make themsafer. Today there are two main types offlame retardants: brominated and non-brominated additives. The type of flameretardant used depends both on the type

of plastics and on the safety standardsthat the equipment is required to meet.Consequently, there are a variety ofdifferent flame retardants used in plastics.

The European plastics industry hascommitted considerable resources todeveloping flame-retardant plastics thatmeet the high safety standards requiredfor E&E equipment. There is a particularfocus in this development on technicaland environmental issues.

To ensure consumer safety, about12 per cent of all plastics used in theE&E sector contain flame retardants,mainly television housings, computermonitors and cases. In office equipment

Recovery of components containinghalogenated flame retardants: The separate collection of plasticscontaining halogenated flame retardantswould require total dismantling andseparation of even extremely smallcomponents to isolate flame-retardantmaterials. In the light of increasingintegration and miniaturisationtechnology, this is neither economicallynor practically feasible.

Energy recovery is the mosteco-efficient option to treat thesecomponents. This has beendemonstrated through combustiontrials with flame retardant E&Eequipment in Germany by combiningthem with municipal waste.

APME has also supported work touse flame-retardant PC scrap andelectronic circuit boards, which containa high amount of recoverable preciousmetals, as fuel in metal smelters inSweden. In this recovery process,plastics play a dual role, both as areducing agent and as an energy sourcefor the metal recovery.

only a small proportion of plastics aretreated with flame retardants, namelythose which are used for parts close tohigh heat or high voltage areas. Certainelectronic components also containflame retardants, for exampleconnectors and printed circuit boards.

210

Equipment

Percentage ofplastics treatedwith flameretardants

Weight of plasticstreated with flameretardants (x 1 000 tonnes)

Total

Large household appliances – inner parts

Small household appliances – inner parts

Consumer equipment – TVs and very smallamounts of audio equipment

IT & telecommunications:Office equipment – printers and copiers

IT & telecommunications:Data processing – PCs and monitors

1 5

2 3

55 74

20 18

65 110

The TAMARA projectAPME has a comprehensive testing programme investigating the impact ofplastics on municipal solid waste incineration. In 1997, APME conducted astudy to evaluate the incineration of waste from electrical and electronicequipment at a municipal solid waste combustion pilot plant, TAMARA, at theForschungszentrum Karlsruhe in Germany. The tests demonstrated that mediumto high (3-12 per cent by weight) quantities of E&E waste containing brominatedflame retardants can be safely added to today’s municipal solid waste togenerate useful energy. The major conclusions of the study included:

• Clean gas emissions recorded, falling well within the lowest regulatory limitsrequired by the German dioxin regulations

• Controlled municipal solid waste combustion is an effective ‘dioxin sink’,well within legal safety requirements

• E&E waste should be treated for efficient metal separation prior tocombustion since the major portion of heavy metals in E&E waste is notdue to plastics, but to poor metal separation

• Current European municipal solid waste combustion capacity will allowenergy recovery of significant amounts of specified E&E plastics waste

The Boliden ProjectInnovative approaches to recycling plastics are now used which have significanteconomic benefits in terms of reducing waste management costs. To producecopper from recycled material rather than from ore, means that only one-sixthof the energy is needed. Waste from the E&E sector can now be used as a feedstream in non-ferrous metal smelting plants.

Between 1995 and 1999, APME and the American Plastics Council (APC)joined forces with Boliden Minerals AB in Sweden to show that E&E equipmentsuch as personal computers can be used in the same way that scrap cable andprinted circuit boards have been used, as secondary raw materials. This wastefrom E&E equipment contains metals that can be extracted with the plasticsproviding energy in the smelting process. With emission levels remaining thesame and safety standards met, 15 000 tons of personal computers’ scrapcould be treated in the plant.

Case studies

7

The European plastics industry iscommitted to responsible wastemanagement with the primary aim ofavoiding loss of this valuable resourceto landfill. Waste from E&E equipmentconstitutes only a small fraction byweight of total waste in Europe – lessthan 0.2 per cent. Of this fraction,around 18 per cent comes fromplastics. Plastics waste from theelectrical and electronic sectoraccounted for around four per cent oftotal plastics waste in Western Europein 2000.

IT and telecommunications and largehousehold appliances account for75 per cent of all plastics waste fromthe E&E sector.

The proposed European WEEEDirective sets out detailed and ambitiousrecovery and recycling targets for manytypes of electrical and electronicequipment described in this report. Wasterecovery is an integral part of a product’slife cycle and waste managementsolutions should be primarily eco-efficient.Eco-efficient solutions provide theoptimum balance of environmental impactand economic cost from initial productionthrough to disposal at end-of-life. Thediagrams show both all waste from theE&E sector in general and theoreticalwaste from only that E&E equipmentcovered by the WEEE Directive.

plastics waste in the E&E sector

Total plastics consumption by sub-sector,Western Europe 2000

Total theoretical plastics waste bysub-sector, Western Europe 2000

TOTAL E&E WASTE covered by WEEE directive 4 395 000 TONNES

TOTAL WASTE (ALL MATERIALS) 6 443 000 TONNES*

IT & Telecommunications40%

Large household appliances32.5%

Consumer equipment14.5%

Consumer equipment14%

Small household appliances10%

Other 3%Other 2%

IT & Telecommunications34%

Large household appliances41%

Small household appliances9%

Plastics content in total E&E sector waste, Western Europe 1999 Plastics content in E&E equipment covered by WEEE directive

(not including cables and electrical equipment), Western Europe 2000

Plastic Waste: 13 per cent*Other Waste: 87 per cent* (ferrous metals, non-ferrous metals, wood,

glass, elastomers, concrete, oil, optic fibres)

Plastic Waste: 17.7 per centOther Waste: 82.3 per cent

Source: APME report – An analysis of plasticsconsumption and recoveryin Western Europe 1999

TOTAL PLASTICSCONSUMPTION BY E&EEQUIPMENT IN 2000:

1 483 000 TONNES

TOTAL PLASTICS WASTEGENERATED BY E&EEQUIPMENT IN 2000:

777 000 TONNES

8

forecasting future plastics waste

The plastics industry is keen to ensurethat waste recovery continues to keeppace with plastics consumption.Plastics waste quantities from the E&Esector will increase to around1 130 000 tonnes by 2005. The plasticsindustry is working towards developingsustainable solutions to deal with E&Eproducts at the end of their lives.

To calculate projected waste, atheoretical model of the lifespan ofE&E products is used. While mosttelephones and small domesticappliances are assumed to have alifespan of between five and ten years,large domestic appliances are assumedto last for between ten and twentyyears. Increasing use of modern,high-performance plastics alsoincreases the durability of largedomestic appliances.

The largest areas of plasticsconsumption – large householdappliances and IT & Telecommunications– also produce the most waste.Concentrating recovery efforts on theseareas will have the best potential forsuccess.

Recycling commands much attentionas an important waste managementoption and the industry is committed tothe re-use and recycling of E&E productswhere environmentally and economicallyviable. However, for effective andeconomic recycling there is a need forclearly defined, high quality waste

streams. Only large appliances such ascopying machines or other officeequipment, refrigerators, TV sets orcomputer monitors could provide thenecessary plastics volumes for apotential recycling operation.

There is a useful body of experienceabout recycling such equipment to drawupon, whereas in faster developingsectors such as telecommunicationsthere is a lack of experience.

Mechanical recycling is neitherpractical nor always the mostenvironmentally responsible option for allE&E plastics. Plastics components canbe very small and expensive to separatefrom other materials, making it difficultto create the homogenous wastestreams necessary for environmentallyand economically sound mechanicalrecycling. In such cases, energyrecovery and feedstock recyclingoptions are more viable alternatives.

Forecast of plastics waste from E&E equipment, Western Europe 1995-2005 (x 1 000 tonnes)

1995

IT and telecommunications

Large household appliances

Consumer equipment

Small household appliances

Other

2005

IT and telecommunications

Large household appliances

Consumer equipment

Small household appliances

Other

2000

IT and telecommunications

Large household appliances

Consumer equipment

Small household appliances

Other

145 (25%)

283 (49%)

75 (13%)

58 (10%)

17 (3%)

264 (34%)

319 (41%)

109 (14%)

70 (9%)

16 (2%)

474 (42%)

361 (32%)

158 (14%)

113 (10%)

23 (2%)

9

recovery options

The European plastics industrypromotes the adoption of a flexibleapproach to plastics wastemanagement, encompassing an optimalbalance of technical, environmental,economic and local market factors,ensuring that natural resources areused efficiently.

The integrated and minimised natureof E&E products, with many smallcomponents combining plastics,metals and glass, can make themdifficult to handle in some wastemanagement options. However, anumber of options do exist to recoverplastics-based electrical and electronicwaste. The industry believes the bestway forward is to aim for eco-efficientrecovery by using the best combinationof recovery options, subject tospecific circumstances.

Mechanical RecyclingAs we have seen, E&E equipmentuses many different types of plastics,designed with special properties forproducing high-specification productsas efficiently as possible. Tomechanically recycle post-user plasticswaste, it has to be collected, sorted,separated, ground, washed andreprocessed before it can be mixedwith virgin plastics of the same type formoulding new products, or used on itsown for alternative lower value products,provided a market exists. The availability

of consistent waste streams withknown characteristics is thus a keycriteria for successful recycling. Onlyin a limited number of cases is theoverall plastics recycling operationeconomically viable because of therelatively low cost of new, virginplastics. In terms of environmentalimpact, it is also important to ensurethat the resources used in the recycling,including energy and transportation,do not exceed the environmentalbenefits of recycling the product.

In 1999, 26 000 tonnes of plasticsfrom the E&E sector were recoveredusing mechanical recycling. This camemainly from large domestic appliancessuch as refrigerators or from computerhousings, which contain a significantquantity of one type of plastic toprovide a consistent waste stream.

Practical experience shows thatfor material recycling to be viable,there must be homogenous plasticsand a large constant waste stream.The markets for recycled plastics arelimited due to technical feasibilityand economics. Small impurities fromdifferent plastics or other materialscan easily occur during the recyclingprocesses and drastically decrease theelectrical and mechanical performanceor safety of recycled plastics. Virginplastics are usually cheaper and alwaysof higher quality than recycled plasticsafter collection, dismantling, sortingand remelting.

Feedstock Recycling While, in principle, feedstock recyclinghas great potential to boost plasticswaste recovery levels, in practice,economic considerations as well as theavailability of a constant quality andquantity of plastics waste are key to itsviability. This depends heavily on the localsituation. A variant of feedstock recycling,described in the Boliden case study onpage 6, is the use of plastics as achemical reductant necessary for therecovery of non-ferrous metals. Here theplastics not only react with the metals,but are also used for their energy value.

Energy Recovery Energy recovery is a key recovery optionfor plastics, as their basic raw material,is derived from oil. While in the past,there has been much opposition – somejustified by concerns around the poorenvironmental performance of oldincinerators – today energy recoveryis more widely required as anenvironmentally sound option. Emissionlevels from incinerators have beensignificantly reduced and wastecombustion for the recovery of energyis embodied in European legislation.

For appliances that are not appropriatefor mechanical recycling – e.g. smallappliances with many small parts –energy recovery is the preferred route ofwaste recovery. This involves thegeneration of energy through directincineration with the recovery of heat,

sparing other finite fossil fuel resourcessuch as coal and oil. As well as municipalincineration with energy recovery,potential also exists as an alternative fuelin other processes.

Energy recovery, alongside materialrecycling, has a vital role to play indiverting plastics waste from landfill andmaximising environmental gain. Theresults of an APME study into theeco-efficiency of plastics packaging wasterecovery, indicate that, when combinedwith energy recovery, raising recyclingrates from 15 to 50 per cent increasescosts by a factor of three, whileenvironmental benefit remains broadly

similar. While this research focused on thepackaging sector, APME has commissioneda study on the eco-efficiency of three E&Eapplications: a television, a mobile phoneand a refrigerator.

Re-useThe rapid pace of product developmentand innovation means latest modelsreplace older models, leading to shorterand shorter lifespans for innovative sectorssuch as IT and telecommunications.Although specific parts can sometimesfind re-use possibilities, in general suchrapid developments usually means re-useis not feasible.

Recovery options for plastics waste

Recovery

Energy recoveryUse of waste plastics as a meansto generate and recover energy

through direct incineration, with orwithout other waste.

Material recyclingReprocessing of waste plastics in aproduction process for the original

purpose or for other purposesexcluding direct energy recovery.

▼ ▼▼

▼ ▼

▼Mechanicalrecycling

Material reprocessingof waste plastics byphysical means into

plastics products

Feedstock recycling

Material reprocessinginto basic chemicals,

monomers for plasticsor use as reductant in

metal smelters

Direct energy use

e.g. from municipalwaste incinerators,

generating heat and/orelectricity

Alternative fuel

Replacing fossil fuels inproduction processes(e.g. cement) or forpower generation

10

sustainable development and plastics in E&E

• Plastics enable us to build smallercomputers and mobile phones usingless resources in production andover their lifetime.

• Increased plastics insulation inrefrigerators saves fossil fuelsthrough reduced energyconsumption.

• Plastics are integral to the design andconstruction of alternative, renewableenergy sources through solar panelsand wind turbines and in this wayalso help to extend the life of ourfossil fuel reserves.

Economic DevelopmentThe plastics industry adds value tosociety through the significantemployment and wealth it creates.The wider plastics industry in WesternEurope employs over one million peopleand plastics consumption consistentlyoutpaces national GDP throughoutthe world.

• In the electrical and electronic sectorand related fields it is estimated that2.2 million people are employed.

• An innovative E&E industry keepsEurope at the forefront of the globaleconomy and empowers the 21stcentury’s knowledge workers.

Social ProgressPlastics in modern technologies andmedicine provide access to higherstandards of living: enhanced healthand longevity, safety, communicationand leisure time for an ever growingproportion of the world’s population.

• In healthcare, complexelectrical equipment is critical tolife-enhancing and life-savingsurgery. Plastics are hygienic,easily cleaned and durable.Lightweight and hard-wearingplastics have allowed portableequipment to be developed foremergency situations.

• Cables sheathed in plastics arethe physical links that make theInternet, E-commerce and today’scommunication economy possible.

• Modern domestic appliances havereduced the time and effort neededfor routine housework, freeing timefor work or leisure activities.

• E&E equipment provideseducational possibilities andcommunications to remoteregions; it enhances safetyprovision in many situations, forexample, monitoring air traffic toreduce accidents.

Everyone is increasingly aware of the need to act more responsibly to protect our world for future generations. This iscrystallised in the drive for ‘sustainable development’ – acting in a way that does not limit the range of economic, socialand environmental options available. Plastics use in E&E equipment is enabling the sector to play an increasingly important rolein achieving this goal and helping to improve the overall standards of living of a growing world population in a cost-effective,resource-efficient manner.

Household energy consumption decreasedby design developments

Innovations in the design of household products in recent years haveimproved their insulation, performance and hence, energy efficiency.

• By increasing the amount of plastics foam insulation by 15mm over thelifetime of the refrigerator, 17 times as much energy is saved as used inthe manufacture of the foam.

• The best products today consume about half as much energy and wateras typical ten-year-old products.

• UK households spend 1.9 billion euro each year on electricity to runfridges and freezers – nearly as much as the power needed for all theoffices in the UK.

• An average German family would reduce their energy consumptionby 1000kWh, water use by 22 500 litres, carbon dioxide emissions by600kg and save 245 euro in one year if they replaced their ten-year-oldrefrigerator, freezer, washing machine and dishwasher with new,efficient ones.

The whole lifecycle of the appliance has to be considered whenevaluating the environmental impact of recycling and recovery because, forexample, most of the refrigerator’s environmental impact is as a result ofits energy consumption during use.

A unique combination of properties has placed plastics at the centre ofmaterials developments in this fast-evolving sector. For this reason, theplastics industry will continue to provide information and is open to workingwith legislators, businesses and environmentalists alike to determine theoptimal solutions for waste management. Only by demonstrating itscommitment to sustainability the industry can ensure that plastics remainthe material of choice for the 21st century.

Environmental ProtectionPlastics in E&E help save resources suchas oil, or other fossil fuels. Plastics in allindustries consume only a small fraction –four per cent – of the world’s oil asfeedstock. This fraction is used soeffectively that fossil fuel reserves lastlonger as a result. In fact, it is estimated thatthe use of plastics overall saves more oilthan is needed for their manufacture.Plastics use less to do more because theyare lightweight and specially tailored to thedemands of the application. As a result,waste is minimised. The plastics industry iscommitted to applying both established andinnovative polymer technologies to conserveresources and reduce atmospheric CO2 –the key environmental challenges.

Avenue E. Van Nieuwenhuyse 4 Box 3 B-1160 BrusselsTelephone: ( 32 ) ( 2 ) 676 17 40 Facsimile: ( 32 ) ( 2 ) 675 39 35E-mail: info.apme@apme.org Web site: http://www.apme.org

The Association of Plastics Manufacturers

in Europe (APME) is the voice of the polymer

producing industry at the European level.

Its membership today includes more than

40 companies representing well over 90

per cent of Western Europe’s polymer

production, with a turnover of more than

29 billion euro. Combined with the European

polymer converting industry and the

machinery manufacturers, the plastics

industry represents a major contributor to

Europe’s economic strength employing well

over one million people and generating

sales in excess of 135 billion euro.

ASSOCIATION OF PLASTICSMANUFACTURERS IN EUROPE