Recycling Plastics: WEEE, Pb & Cd, PVC

Plastic in the form of discarded electronic waste has become one of the greatest culprits in our ever growing worldwide waste problem. Disposal into landfills can cause toxic metals to leach into groundwater. Incineration creates airborne toxic metal contamination. Recycling is possible, but collection, transport, and processes are expensive and can lead to additional environmental dangers. The EU WEEE Directive requires separate collection and recycling of Hg-containing components and plastics containing Br-flame retardant. Though not specified in the WEEE Directive, Pb and Cd are also targeted to be sorted out by environmental agencies. PVC (Cl) must be sorted from other plastics in recycling processes as it adversely affects the quality of other recycled products. Additionally, the HCl given off corrodes recycling equipment and is a known health hazard.

Innov-X Portable Tube-based XRF Metal Analyzers provide fast, confident and non-destructive screening of electronic parts, components and assembled products. Tube-based Portable XRF Analyzers monitor toxic metals at ppm levels for compliance verification and documented traceability. They quantify Pb, Hg, Cd and other regulated and non-regulated heavy metals and allow fast sorting of PVC and Br- or Sb-based flame retardants.