Unisource Global Solutions (USG), a Norcross, Ga.-based division of Unisource Worldwide Inc., Norcross, Ga., has completed the asset acquisition of Pakit Sweden AB, a developer of molded fiber products for the packaging industry.

The acquisition includes the purchase of equipment that uses cellulose fibers to manufacture molded fiber packaging, replacing the use of plastic trays, bottles, containers, carriers and other conventional petroleum-based packaging.

“This acquisition builds upon our commitment to be a world leader in providing cutting-edge design, technology, research, manufacturing and ongoing innovation to the packaging industry,” says Al Dragone, CEO of Unisource Worldwide. “It also improves Unisource’s capability to be more responsive to our customer needs in the sustainable packaging area,” he says.

“The molded fiber manufacturing equipment we have acquired will expand UGS’ production resources to drive the next generation of packaging solutions to meet the industry’s growing interest in sustainable packaging on a global basis,” said Gary Miller, president of UGS.

The European Commission (EC) has released new rules for the collection and treatment of obsolete electronics. In a statement, the EC says that its new directive is a step toward environmental protection and a major boost to resource efficiency in Europe.

In a statement, Janez Potocnik, the EC’s commissioner, says, "In these times of economic turmoil and rising prices for raw materials, resource efficiency is where environmental benefits and innovative growth opportunities come together. We now need to open new collection channels for electronic waste and improve the effectiveness of existing ones. I encourage the member states to meet these new targets before the formal deadline."

The directive introduces a collection target of 45 percent of electronic equipment sold that will apply from 2016 and, as a second step from 2019, a target of 65 percent of equipment sold, or 85 percent of electronic scrap generated. As part of the directive, member states will be able to choose one of the two equivalent ways to measure the target they wish to report. From 2018, the directive will be extended from its current restricted scope to all categories of electronic waste, subject to an impact assessment beforehand.

The directive also pays attention to the export of the material. The directive will require exporters to test whether the equipment works, and provide documents on the nature of shipments that could be deemed illegal.

Another expected improvement, according to the EC, is the reduction of administrative burdens through the harmonization of national registration and reporting requirements. Requirements by member states' registers for producers of electronic scrap will be aligned more closely.

Currently only one-third of electrical and electronic scrap in the European Union (EU) is separately collected within the documented system. The existing EU collection target is 4 kilograms of WEEE per capita, representing about 2 million tons per year, out of around 10 million metric tons of WEEE generated annually in the EU. By 2020, it is estimated that the volume of WEEE will increase to 12 million tons. The final target of the new directive, an ambitious 85 percent of all WEEE generated, will ensure that in 2020 around 10 million tons, or roughly 20 kg per capita, will be separately collected in the EU.

By Feb. 14, 2014, member states will have to amend their existing legislation on WEEE and align it with the new directive and the new targets. Consumers can return small e-waste at large retail shops unless existing alternative schemes are shown to be at least as effective. From the date of national transposition onwards, a reversed burden of proof will apply to shipments of used equipment which are suspected to be illegal waste shipments.

Starting in 2016, member states will be required to ensure that 45 percent of electrical and electronic equipment sold in each country is collected.

From 2018, the scope of the directive is widened to include all electrical and electronic equipment.

From 2019, the collection target is raised to 65 percent of electrical and electronic equipment sold, or the alternative measure of 85 percent of WEEE generated.

Some member states will be able to derogate from the new targets for a limited time, where this is justified by a lack of necessary infrastructure or low levels of consumption of electronic equipment. The EC will use the powers given in the new directive to harmonize the frequency of reporting by producers to the national registers, and the format for registration and reporting. The EC will review certain changes agreed with the new directive in order to identify any undesirable effects.

The existing WEEE Directive (Directive 2002/96/EC) has been in force since February 2003. It provides for the creation of collection programs where consumers return their used electronic scrap free of charge. The purpose is to prevent harm to human health and the environment from hazardous substances contained in WEEE, and to increase the recycling and/or re-use of products and materials. In December 2008, the Commission proposed a recast WEEE Directive, and this has now been modified and adopted by the Parliament and the Council.

For more information, visit http://ec.europa.eu/environment/waste/weee/index_en.htm.

ZincOx Resources reports that the first phase of its zinc dust recycling plant in Korea is currently operating with zinc recovery and iron metallization at or very close to target levels. The company adds that production, with the exception of the hot briquetting section, has been steadily improving as the company tweaks start-up issues.

The Korean facility has been designed to treat 200,000 metric tons of electric arc furnace dust (EAFD) per year. The EAFD is now being delivered under exclusive supply agreements with all eight of the steel companies contracted for the first phase of the plant’s development. The second phase of development is expected to double capacity and is planned for completion in 2013.

The process used at the mill involves the separation of zinc into a high quality zinc concentrate (76,000 metric tons per year) and the reduction of residual iron into an intermediate product (80,000 metric tons per year) that can be used as a scrap substitute.

In a release, ZincOx says that zinc recovery rates have been steadily improving, ranging between 92-99 percent, with a target of 97 percent. The zinc concentrate, which has a zinc grade of more than 63 percent, is being sold to Korea Zinc as part of a 10-year off-take agreement.

The metallic content of the iron product forms the basis of its valuation. The proportion of iron that is reduced to its metallic form is known as the metallization rate which is now around 80 percent.

In its update, ZincOx reports that the Korean facility was suspended for two weeks in July while a number of equipment modifications were made to improve the plant’s reliability and enable process optimization to achieve targeted process objectives. Since completing the modification, process objectives have been demonstrated and the ramp-up has resumed with improved availability and sustained hourly throughput. Some minor equipment reliability and throughput issues remain outstanding but solutions have been identified and remediation work is either underway or pending the delivery of upgraded equipment.

The company says that overall plant throughput is expected to reach 85 percent by the end of September and 90 percent by the end of October.

Commenting on the announcement, Andrew Woollett, ZincOx’s chairman, says, “The success of the process has now been clearly demonstrated and while full production is taking slightly longer to achieve than expected, solutions for the outstanding issues have been identified and we are looking forward to positive cash flow in the near future.”

• Richard Ludt of tenant improvement, demolition and recycling company, Interior Removal Specialists, South Gate, Calif., who will moderate as well as provide an update on state regulatory requirements;
• Heidi Sanborn of the California Product Stewardship Council, who will inform attendees on the efforts her organization is making to increase recycling and use of recycled content products in projects throughout the state;
• Greg Dick of the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle), who will share what efforts the state agency is making toward its recycling goals; and
• Carol Parker of the city of Los Angeles, who will share the successes of that city’s C&D debris recycling program.