Recycling industrial wastes

The Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) of the USA Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) shows that in 1992, of the 3.4 million tonnes of TRI chemicals used by industries covered by the scheme, 38% was transferred to other organizations for recycling. Sulphuric acid alone accounted for almost 40% of recycled TRI chemicals.

In 1991, the steel industry in Japan recycled its by-products as follows: almost 100% of blast furnace slag, 89% of converter slag, and 84% of electric furnace slag is used for construction and infrastructure purposes.

In the Philippines, a coconut beverage producer buys 50% of the waste coconut water produced by a desiccated coconut processing firm, and uses it as raw material. Both parties benefit significantly from this industrial waste exchange venture.