Research on
MaterialStreams
Work By: Caitlin Andonian Lorenzo Buffa Joon Gi Shin
Mark Scafini Anushi Patel Willam Schaecher Daeun Song
MaterialStream
What is a material stream?
MaterialStream
What is a material stream? What materials fall into the stream?
MaterialStream
What is a material stream? What materials fall into the stream? Do these systems overlap?
MaterialStream
Virgin Inputs
MaterialStream
E
Virgin Inputs
CO 2
Raw Material Acquisition
MaterialStream
E
Virgin Inputs
CO 2
E
Raw Material Acquisition
CO 2
Manufacturing
MaterialStream
E
Virgin Inputs
CO 2
E
Raw Material Acquisition
CO 2
Manufacturing
Consumption
MaterialStream E
cli Recy E
Virgin Inputs
CO 2
E
Raw Material Acquisition
CO 2
ng
n cycling Dow
CO 2
Manufacturing
Consumption
U pc ycling
MaterialStream E
cli Recy E
Virgin Inputs
CO 2
E
Raw Material Acquisition
CO 2
ng
n cycling Dow
CO 2
Manufacturing
Consumption
U pc ycling
E
CO 2
Waste Management
MaterialStream E
CO 2
E cli Recy E
Virgin Inputs
CO 2
E
Raw Material Acquisition
ng
n cycling Dow
CO 2
CO 2
Manufacturing
Consumption
E
Combustion
CO 2
Waste Management
Composting
U pc ycling
CH 4
Landfill
MaterialStream Landfills
Storage + Sealing
MaterialStream Landfills
-243 million tons -1/3 recovered -17% of U.S. methane emissions
Materials in landfills
MaterialStream Combustion
Saving Space + Weight + Energy
MaterialStream Combustion 1 Ton of Waste
-90% volume reduction -75% weight reduction
.67 MWh of electric
2 MWh of heat Waste Conversion Rate
-Ash used in top soil at landfills
MaterialStream Composting Organic Matter
Fertilizer
MaterialStream Composting Compostable Materials in Landfills
-1/4 of landfills are compostable -Most eco-friendly -DIY
MaterialStream Cardboard
Raw Material • Use almost all part of wood (body to trunk)
Manufacturing Material • Grinding, heating, and pulping • Corrugating (corn starch glue) • Recycle scraps
Manufacturing Product • Design • Packing • Furniture
Customer • DIY • Trash • Reuse Package
Waste management • Sorting paper for recycling • Laminated paper : combustion, landfill • Compression : reduce transportation fee 90% • Recycle up to 90% of paper
Package = Product • Reduce energy • Extend life of paper • Prevent over packaging
MaterialStream Ceramic
- Products are produced via molding methods, hand work, compression and coating. - Common products include plumbing/sinks, tiles, pottery, and coating on things that endure high heat.
- Ceramic cannot be recycled. - It is often downcycled into a lightweight aggregate, which is used in multiple grades of cement.
MaterialStream Glass
- Glass is then broken and heated before being processed into products. Processes include blowing, pouring, float glass, etc. - Products include windows, bottles and housewares, etc.
- Glass can be infinitely recycled without losing strength, purity or quality. - Medical waste must be handled under OSHA and is not permitted in the landfill. - Glass can also be used in aggregate.
- Glass recycling and reusing can work on many scales, from industrial to residential. Finding useful ways to reuse products of a lasting material may be a useful tool for a community. - The EPA suggests donating glass to artisans first.
MaterialStream Gypsum
Raw State • Gypsum occurs in nature as flattened crystals - water soluble • One of the most common forms of raw gypsum is a pure white crystal called alabaster Synthetic • Produced from flue-gas-desufurization at coal-powererd powerplants • Is seen as a ‘green’ product due to the fact that it converts sufur dioxide into a product that stays out of the landfill
Processing • Gypsum is ground into fine powder, boiled to remove moisture, and dried for future use • “The only natural substance that can be restored to its original rock-like state by the addition of water alone.” • Paper pulp and starch may be added to gypsum to aid the paper in adhering to the core
Applications • Drywall • Fertilizer • Soil conditioner • Plaster of Paris • Cement additive • Mold for metal casting
Companies USA Gypsum Reinholds, PA • Makes compost additive/ animal bedding • Does not accept demolition drywall Gypsum Recycling USA
USG Corporation • Largest US manufacturer of wallboard • Has strict standards on safety and purity when recycling • Does not accept demolition drywall • “..Is currently in the process of developing a national gypsum recycling program”
• Provides service all throughout New England • Recycles gypsum drywall for the manufacture of new drywall • Has the machinery to refine demolition drywall
Recycling
Downcycling
Gypsum powder is ground down and resused for construction materials: “Closed Loop Recycling”
Gypsum and paper are separated and used for agricultural products
Uses • New Drywall • Cement • Ceiling Tiles
Uses • Compost Additive • Mulch • Animal Bedding
Combustion
Landfills
Composting
• Hydrogen sulfate gas is harmful and can corrode metal. These gases would ruin any machinery used in the combustion process.
• Wallboard is generally landfillled if it comes from an older home where lead paint or asbestos compound may have been used. • Gypsum panels must be sent to a Type 2 landfill, where waste is separated into different regions.
• Large quantities of gypsum mixed with organic material can lead to water contamination.
MaterialStream Plastics
Raw ingredients / Oil to plastic About 10% of U.S. oil consumption is used to make plastics.
Only 5% of plastics are recycled. Transportation
Grinding
Sorting
Drying and Pelletizing Fabrication
New Products
It is composed of 100%
recycled plastic.
Furniture
Trash
MaterialStream Pallets
Wooden pallets are the most commonly used pallets in world.
It is estimated that 90% of all pallets are made of wood.
Pallets are a by-product and waste product. They exist to serve manufacturer and consumer demands alike.
Because wood is a natural resource, and wood pallets have a short lifespan, they use a lot more raw material.
Using pallets as the structural foundation, can we build a stucture for Greensgrow? Can this be something that enhances the experience for the Greensgrow community?
Manufacturers Benefit • cost efficient • simple • standardized • serves as structural foundation for product or delivery of goods
Greensgrow Benefit • free material • extending a waste products lifecycle • standardized • serves as a structural foundation for learning and resale
MaterialStream Comparing
Cardboard
Cardboard Glass
Ceramics Glass Cardboard
Gypsum Ceramics Glass Cardboard
Plastics Gypsum Ceramics Glass Cardboard
Pallets Plastics Gypsum Ceramics Glass Cardboard
Raw Material
Raw Material
E
CO 2
Energy consumption
Raw Material
E
CO 2
Energy consumption
Design and Manufacturing
Raw Material
E
Design and Manufacturing
CO 2
Energy consumption
Waste Management
Raw Material
E
Design and Manufacturing
CO 2
Energy consumption
Waste Management
User Participation
Raw Material
E
Design and Manufacturing
User Participation
CO 2
Energy consumption
Waste Management
Composting
Combustion Landfills