Copper Recycling from Manufacturing Waste

Summary

Poco Graphite has a by-product water stream resulting from cooling the copper-impregnated graphite rods it produces. The resulting wastewater is purchased by Gachman Metals Recycling Co, who recovers the copper for sale to the market. The synergy will save Poco Graphite thousands of dollars per year and offer new revenues for Gachman Metals Recycling Co.

Industry

Industry Sector	Specific Industry
Mining and minerals sector	Poco Graphite (Graphite rod producer)
Recycling sector	Gachman Metals Recycling Co (recycling company)

Region

North Texas, USA.

Applied Technologies

• Copper recovery technology (further details not known)

Triple Bottom Line Aspects (direct at operational level)

Economic	Potential company profits through the recovery of copper Reduced waste water treatment and disposal costs
Environment	Improved quality of disposed wastewater Increased resource efficiency
Social	Job security and employment

Additional Comments

None.

References

• Elements (n.d.) "Examples of By-Product Synergies - New Jersey Project", Retrieved from: http://www.marc.org/Environment/SolidWaste/pdfs/BPS_case_studies.pdf

Last Update

18 January 2007