Recycling Archives

DOE report finds US can recycle 90% of decommissioned wind turbine mass

January 9, 2025
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has released a report exploring ways to improve the recycling of materials used in wind energy infrastructure. With wind turbines typically lasting about 20 years and around one-third of the nation’s wind energy capacity built within the last five years, the U.S. is facing a significant waste challenge in the coming decades.

By 2050, the U.S. is projected to have approximately 2.2 million tons of retired wind turbine materials headed to landfills. The DOE’s report found that up to 90% of decommissioned turbine mass can currently be processed for reuse domestically. However, new strategies and technologies are needed to address the remaining 10%.

“The U.S. already has the ability to recycle most wind turbine materials, so achieving a fully sustainable domestic wind energy industry is well within reach,” Jeff Marootian, principal deputy assistant secretary for the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, said in a statement. “Innovation is key to closing the loop, and this research will help guide national investments and strategies aimed at advancing technologies that can solve the remaining challenges.”

Recommendations include improved decommissioning and scrap-sorting practices, expanded recovery infrastructure and the development of modular and recyclable wind systems. While steel-based towers are more easily recyclable, materials like blades and generators present greater challenges.

To address these gaps, the DOE has committed $20 million, funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, to develop technologies for wind energy recycling. This investment will support research, development and demonstration programs to enhance recycling processes and strengthen the domestic supply chain.

Additionally, the DOE recently concluded its Wind Turbine Materials Recycling Prize, awarding $3.6 million to six teams advancing innovative recycling technologies. These efforts aim to expand domestic recycling capabilities and bring new solutions closer to commercialization.
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ExxonMobil countersues Calif. AG, claims he defamed the company

January 8, 2025
ExxonMobil is countersuing California months after the state sued the oil and gas giant, claiming it lied about plastics recycling. Now, the company accused California’s attorney general, Rob Bonta, of defamation saying, he engaged in “a deliberate smear campaign.”

Bonta filed a lawsuit against the company in September 2024, asking that it pay civil penalties and fines after a more than two year investigation. He said it was time to hold it accountable for misleading marketing campaigns.

Bonta alleged the company tried to convince the public that plastic recycling could solve the plastic waste and pollution problem, when it clearly knew that wasn’t possible, resulting in landfills and oceans being filled with plastic waste.

ExxonMobil is accusing Bonta of making false statements in interviews about its recycling technology, causing prospective business deals to fall apart. The company is seeking monetary damages and retractions from the AG, as well as from four environmental groups also named in the lawsuit.

The Sierra Club, San Francisco Baykeeper, Heal the Bay and the Surfrider Foundation all filed their own lawsuit against Exxon, coinciding with Bonta’s lawsuit.

A spokesman for the Sierra Club, Jonathon Berman, called the suit “a shameless attempt at intimidation.”

A spokesperson for California’s Department of Justice said the lawsuit is “another attempt from ExxonMobil to deflect attention from its own unlawful deception” adding that Bonta looks forward to fighting the case.

Meanwhile, Exxon maintains that its recycling technology is not a “farce” or a “myth.”

A recent report from the advocacy group Center for Climate Integrity said that recycling plastics failed because it was too expensive to do on a large scale, with the recycling rate for plastic estimated to only be 5% or 6% as of 2021.
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More Americans plan to tip this holiday season, but amounts not going up

December 24, 2024
It’s that time of year again, when people plan to give those who go above and beyond a little something extra. According to a new report, in 2024, the holiday spirit of generosity is alive and well.

Every year, Bankrate looks at how people plan to tip workers across six sectors: housekeepers, child care providers, teachers, mail carriers, trash and recycling collectors and outdoor maintenance workers, like landscapers, gardeners and snow removers. They found that this year, people plan to tip the most to workers in sectors that include “people that we see and interact with regularly.”

Overall, this year’s median tip rates stayed the same compared to last year, but they did drop in two categories.

Bankrate found people plan to tip housekeepers and child care providers $50 dollars, teachers $25 and mail carriers $20. However, outdoor maintenance workers and trash and recycling collectors will get less than in 2023. Americans said they planned on tipping outdoor workers a median of $30 dollars this year, down from $37 last year. Additionally, trash and recycling collectors will see a $5 drop and can expect a median of $20.

However, more people plan to tip this year than the last four years. More than half of the survey’s respondents said they plan to tip their housekeepers, teachers and child care providers. The amount of people planning to tip trash and recycling collectors also went up, with 26% saying they would, compared to last year’s 20%.

Just like last year, about a third of people were tipping their mail carriers. But some outdoor maintenance workers won’t be getting a little holiday bonus this year, with the amount of people planning to tip them dropping by 1%.
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Scientists discover plastic-eating insect with potential to combat pollution

December 16, 2024
Researchers in Kenya have identified a species of insect that could play a role in reducing global plastic pollution. The Kenyan lesser mealworm, the larval stage of the Alphitobius darkling beetle, has demonstrated the ability to consume and break down polystyrene, commonly known as Styrofoam.

Polystyrene is notoriously difficult to recycle due to its durability and the high costs associated with processing this material. It makes up an estimated 35% of all landfill waste, where it can take 500 years to decompose and still continue to persist in the environment for over a million years.

In a monthlong experiment, scientists discovered that the Kenyan lesser mealworm could survive on a diet of polystyrene and consumed over 11% of the material when fed alongside other foods.

The larvae’s ability to consume polystyrene is believed to stem from gut bacteria within the insects that is capable of producing enzymes that degrade synthetic plastics.

Researchers found that these bacteria appear to adapt when the larvae consume plastic, raising the possibility of replicating these enzymes for industrial applications. Future studies aim to isolate and scale up these internal mechanisms and explore whether the insects can break down other types of plastic.
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Pheasant hatchery filled with solar panels part of clean energy’s recycling problem

October 16, 2024
Renewable energy infrastructure, which the majority of is relatively new, will inevitably face decommissioning as it reaches the end of its lifespan. This reality is becoming evident in an unusual setting: a former pheasant hatchery in Canada, now home to thousands of damaged solar panels awaiting recycling.

The facility, managed by Sunset Renewable Asset Management, holds nearly 10,000 broken solar panels. The company is working to finding innovative solutions for the disposal and recycling of green energy technology, particularly by identifying financially viable methods to extract and reuse valuable minerals found in the panels.

Experts project that by 2050, Canada alone could generate close to 5 million tons of waste from wind and solar infrastructure. According to a researcher from a University of Ottawa think tank, while renewable energy aims to combat climate change, it could create new environmental challenges without proper waste management strategies.

Companies like Sunset Renewable Asset Management are focusing on efficient recycling solutions for materials used in renewable infrastructure. The pheasant hatchery, with its large industrial building, serves as a solar panel “graveyard,” where efforts are underway to give the components a second life.

Although solar panels and wind turbines are up to 90% recyclable, the recycling process remains costly. For large-scale solar farms, recycling expenses can run into tens of millions of dollars, while dumping the materials in landfills would be nearly 90% cheaper. Similarly, decommissioning a single wind turbine can exceed half a million dollars in costs.

Both local and national governments are beginning to explore more comprehensive recycling systems for renewable energy technology. However, for now, the challenge of managing green energy waste is set to grow as the world continues its transition toward sustainable power sources.
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Sewage-fueled hydrogen car aims for speed record

October 15, 2024
A hydrogen-powered car, fueled by sewage, aims to break a land speed record. If successful, the car could drive a new wave of sustainability in racing.

The Waste2Race prototype (LMP3), built by students at the University of Warwick’s Manufacturing Group, ran on hydrogen produced as a byproduct of cutting-edge wastewater treatment technology. The car itself featured several parts made entirely from recycled materials.

Waste2Race is part of a growing movement in motorsport racing, exploring hydrogen as a future fuel. This project emerged as manufacturers, such as Toyota, explore hydrogen as a fuel for future racing cars. BMW also recently announced plans to release its first hydrogen car in 2028.

Set to be completed by 2025, Warwick’s Manufacturing Group and its partners proved that sustainability and speed could go hand in hand. Once the car is complete, they plan to test it and attempt to break several land speed records for hydrogen-powered vehicles.
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Black-colored plastics found in kitchen utensils, toys linked to toxic chemical

October 1, 2024
A study published on Tuesday, Oct. 1, found that black-colored plastics may contain concerning levels of a toxic flame retardant that could be leaching in through the recycling process. The study, done by environmental advocacy group Toxic-Free Future, found the highest levels of the toxic chemical in costume jewelry kids often wear when dressing up as pirates.

The study’s lead author said these necklaces contain toxic chemicals equal to almost 3% of their weight.

This is not the first study to link black plastic to toxic chemicals, but it is the first to link it to a class of chemicals known as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) which have been linked to a significantly increased risk of dying from cancer.

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Researchers found one PBDE, in particular, known as decaBDE was found in 70% of samples tested even though it was completely banned in the U.S. by the Environmental Protection Agency in 2021.

The European Union allows a level of decaBDEs up to 10 parts per million in products. The study’s authors said they found levels ranging from 5-1,200 times greater than that in the products they tested.

Take black plastic kitchen utensils for example. Researchers say based on how often they’re used, you could be exposed to nearly 38 parts per million of decaBDE per day — more than three times what the E.U. has deemed acceptable.

Most of the contamination can be traced back to flame retardants used in electronic devices like TVs, smartphones, gaming systems, and computers. This contamination occurs when these items are improperly recycled.

However, these flame retardants can also be found in the padding of things like couches, yoga mats, children’s car seats, just to name a few.

The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences said these toxic chemicals can leach from products into the air then attach to things like food, drinks and dust, which are then ingested. However, the North American Flame Retardant Alliance pointed out this recent study did not account for actual levels of exposure in humans or how they were exposed.

The study also only looked at black plastics, so it’s unclear if the toxic chemicals can be found in any other color of plastic.

Researchers say if you want to cut down your exposure, you can replace your kitchen utensils with stainless steel, dust, mop, and vacuum regularly to get rid of any dust that has been contaminated, and never wash and reuse the black plastic containers your food comes in or put them in the microwave.
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Toxic chemicals entering the human body through food packaging

September 17, 2024
It’s long been known chemicals can seep into food when it’s made, packaged, processed and stored, but a new study shows just how many of those chemicals make their way into the human body. Researchers from multiple countries came together to study 14,000 chemicals known to be used in food packaging. They found 3,601 of them – about 25% – can be found in the human body.

What’s more, 79 of the chemicals found are known to cause cancer, genetic mutations, and reproductive and endocrine issues, among other health concerns.

Researchers say most of the chemicals leeching from food packaging come from plastics. Chemicals identified in the study include BPA, PFAS and phthalates, but plastics are not the only concern.

One of the study’s authors pointed to recycled food packaging, specifically, because the recycling process allows non-food grade inks to be exposed to the food you eat.

The study’s authors also said while only 79 of the chemicals found in the human body are known to cause health issues, more of the chemicals may be harmful, but we just don’t know it yet. They also note that while food packaging products may comply with government regulations, that doesn’t necessarily mean they are completely safe.

There are ways to mitigate exposure though, like avoiding microwaving food in takeout containers because high temperatures can cause the chemicals to get into food more quickly. Scientists also say foods that are high in fat or acidity also tend to absorb more chemicals from their packaging.

Another good piece of advice given is to avoid small cramped food containers. The more cramped the container, the more contact it has with the food inside.
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Wind energy could get even greener by replacing steel with wood

May 6, 2024
The wind energy industry may be on the verge of becoming even more environmentally friendly. Even though wind turbines create almost zero pollution once they are up and spinning, the processes of constructing and deconstructing them can still be fairly carbon-intensive and produce a lot of waste.

Some in the industry are now turning to wood as a potential solution to these challenges. Using wood instead of steel is more cost-effective, easier to dispose of and is responsible for fewer emissions.

For every ton of steel manufactured, nearly 2 tons of carbon dioxide are emitted. Considering that the average U.S. wind turbine requires nearly 400 tons of steel, the carbon footprint associated with their construction amounts to approximately 800 tons of CO2 pollution each. These emissions equate to burning almost a million pounds of coal for every turbine erected.

Environmental concerns extend beyond turbine construction to their eventual decommissioning. Industry projections suggest that by 2050, the world could be grappling with 50 million tons of retired fiberglass turbine blades, posing significant challenges for recycling due to the material’s composition.

Energy companies in Germany and Sweden are at the forefront of embracing wood in turbine manufacturing to solve these issues. Germany recently achieved a milestone by installing the first wood-based blades on a wind turbine at an operational farm. Meanwhile, Sweden utilized reforestation-certified sustainably managed forests to erect the world’s tallest wooden turbine tower in 2023.

These manufacturers tout wood as a viable substitute capable of slashing emissions associated with turbine construction by as much as 90%. Just like how trees absorb carbon, using wood to build wind energy infrastructure can allow the projects to store more pollution than the turbines emit.

Wooden blades also offer enhanced recyclability, with some being entirely biodegradable. Using this material helps energy companies save on building materials up to 20%.

These developments come as wind energy is poised for exponential growth globally in the coming decades. Projections indicate that over a third of the U.S. and half of Europe could be powered by turbines by 2050.
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Study: 56 of leading brands responsible for more than 50% of plastic pollution

April 29, 2024
A new study revealed on Thursday, April 24, that 56 of leading brands are responsible for more than 50% of the plastic pollution plaguing the Earth. The study showed the Coca-Cola Company is the leading offender. Around 400 million tons of plastic waste are generated annually, with most of it ending up in landfills and oceans, according to the study published in Science Advances.

Researchers claim that the amount of waste is equivalent to 2,000 garbage trucks full of plastic dumped into the world’s bodies of water every day. The top five global polluters listed in the study are Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Nestle, Danone and Altria.

In response to the findings, Coca-Cola issued a statement emphasizing its commitment to sustainability through its “World without Waste” strategy, which aims to make all packaging recyclable globally by 2025. The company also vowed to incorporate at least 50% of recycled material by 2030. However, the vast majority of plastic that people use is not being recycled, according to a study by Greenpeace.

Despite the response by Coca-Cola, researchers stressed that the need for action is now. They advocated for the phase-out of single-use and short-lived plastic products by major polluters to significantly reduce plastic pollution.

Meanwhile, negotiations are underway for a global treaty to combat plastic pollution and curb the environmental impact of plastic waste.

“The message is clear,” Luis Vayas Valdivieso, chairperson of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, said. “The world is counting on us to deliver a new treaty that will catalyze and guide the actions and international cooperation needed to deliver a future free of plastic. Let’s not fail them.”

Negotiators at the United Nations are hopeful parties will finalize a meaningful treaty in South Korea this fall.
Related Stories

DOE report finds US can recycle 90% of decommissioned wind turbine mass

ExxonMobil countersues Calif. AG, claims he defamed the company

More Americans plan to tip this holiday season, but amounts not going up

Scientists discover plastic-eating insect with potential to combat pollution

Pheasant hatchery filled with solar panels part of clean energy’s recycling problem

Sewage-fueled hydrogen car aims for speed record

Black-colored plastics found in kitchen utensils, toys linked to toxic chemical

Toxic chemicals entering the human body through food packaging

Wind energy could get even greener by replacing steel with wood

Study: 56 of leading brands responsible for more than 50% of plastic pollution

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