Robson, Sue (2002) A framework for the development of the polymer recycling system in the UK to achieve compliance with the European directive on end of life vehicles : executive summary. EngD thesis, University of Warwick.

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Abstract

Legislation will be introduced within the UK by 2004 as a result of a European drive to reduce waste levels arising from the disposal of end of life vehicles (ELVs). With the emergence of the European Directive (2000) on ELV disposal, targets for reduction of waste from ELVs have been set. These targets signify that a major change in non-metallic material recycling and in particular polymer recycling is necessary to meet the legislation. Increasing numbers of vehicle components are made from plastic, replacing metals due to enhanced properties such as light weight, formability and material properties (e.g. corrosion resistance, insulation properties, energy absorption etc.). Ultimately this means that more spent plastic material will require disposal, whilst legislation will limit the amount that can enter landfill sites. Therefore alternatives to landfill for plastic waste need to be found.

Ideally plastic waste would be reprocessed and a resulting market found. However, the UK polymer recycling infrastructure cannot cope with high quantities of spent plastics, and there is no organisation that is capable of developing the processes that will be necessary to meet legislation.

The author has investigated the current state of plastics recycling in the UK with emphasis on technical and business issues. Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) has been used for the first time in this field to develop the theme and create a series of recommendations that could improve the current situation. An innovative approach using Hoshin Kanri to develop the SSM recommendations resulted in the creation of a framework for deployment that the author named ‘the Polymer Recycling Hub’. The Hub could help all parties affected by the impending legislation to create a polymer recycling infrastructure capable of recycling high levels of spent plastic arising from ELVs. Interest in the Polymer Recycling Hub is growing and the author has the backing of many industrial organisations for its implementation.

Item Type:	Thesis or Dissertation (EngD)
Subjects:	T Technology > TD Environmental technology. Sanitary engineering T Technology > TL Motor vehicles. Aeronautics. Astronautics
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Transportation -- Environmental aspects, Automobile-related wastes -- Recycling, Plastics -- Recycling, Polymers -- Recycling, System theory
Official Date:	March 2002
Dates:	Date Event March 2002 Submitted
Institution:	University of Warwick
Theses Department:	Warwick Manufacturing Group
Thesis Type:	EngD
Publication Status:	Unpublished
Supervisor(s)/Advisor:	Roberts, Paul Anthony
Sponsors:	Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council ; Rover Group (Firm)
Format of File:	pdf
Extent:	x, 113 leaves : illustrations, charts
Language:	eng

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