Cathode ray tube glass recycling: an example of clean technology

• Published in: Waste management & research Vol. 23; no. 4; pp. 314 - 321
• Main Authors: Andreola, Fernanda, Barbieri, Luisa, Corradi, Anna, Lancellotti, Isabella
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Thousand Oaks, CA SAGE Publications 01.08.2005; Sage Publications Ltd. (UK); Sage Publications Ltd
• Subjects: Beta Particles; Cathode ray tubes; Ceramic coating; Ceramic glazes; Ceramics; Clean technology; Cleaning; Computer Terminals; Conservation of Natural Resources; CRTs; Electronics; Environmental aspects; Environmental impact; Glass; Glazes; Italy; Life cycle analysis; Life cycle assessment; Materials; Raw materials; Recycling; Refuse Disposal; Studies; Technology; Television; Tiles; Waste management; Italy; ceramic; wmr 793-3; Cathode ray tube glass; electronic equipment; glaze; waste of electrical and; life cycle assessment
• ISSN: 0734-242X; 1096-3669; 0734-242X
• DOI: 10.1177/0734242X05054422

In this study the use of ‘cleaned’ end of life (EOL) cathode ray tube (CRT) glass as a raw material in ceramic glazes is described. At present, the recycling and industrial utilization of CRT, a glass material from TV and computer sets, is a subject of intense research with particular regard to the so-called open-loop recycling, namely cycles different from that of the origin. However, the use of CRT glass as a secondary raw material is strictly related to the demand of high-quality raw material. The good preliminary results reached by introducing clean TV and PC monitor panel and cone glass into ceramic glaze formulations pushed research toward the setting-up of a base glaze that is exploitable for the production of pigmented, silk-screened and flame-hardened glazes (products used industrially for coating floor tiles). The aesthetic and chemical characterization of the tiles glazed by this product showed an extremely similar behaviour to originals that did not contain CRT glass. The good technical results achieved have been supported by the life cycle assessment analysis, which has demonstrated a reduction of the environmental impact of the CRT glass-containing ceramic glaze with respect to the standard one.