Responsible Approach to the Recycling of By-Product Wastes into Commercial Clayware

As a consequence of rapidly declining landfill space throughout the EU, increasing interest is being shown in developing more environmentally acceptable disposal procedures for a broad range of industrial and urban by-product wastes. Opportunities for the inclusion of many such materials exists in the ceramic industry which uses large quantities of non-renewable clays, marls and shales to produce a wide variety of fired structural ceramic products. As pressure on landfill space continues to grow it is anticipated that increasing interest in adopting this alternative approach will become more widespread within the EU. Consequently, it is of paramount importance that the adoption of this technology is carried out in a responsible way and within internationally recognized guidelines. Ziegel Gasser GmbH-Sri is a brick manufacturer in Southern Tyrol that is establishing itself as a marketleader in pioneering this alternative approach by developing a systematic and audit-traceable procedure linked to its manufacture of bricks containing a range of by-product wastes. A wide variety of such materials are theoretically suitable to be incorporated into the normal feedstock of a typical brick factory, but success is dependent on careful evaluation. In the approach reported, the methods of selection, based on a company specific standard of reference of potentially suitable wastes is described. The contractual requirements with the particular suppliers of such materials are also examined.

• Introduction

• Assessing the Use of Wastes

• The Ziegal Gasser Standard of Reference

• The Procedural Stages Leading to Final Waste Acceptance

• Conclusions