European Research Centre for Recycling celebrates first anniversary

The European Research Centre for Recycling, based in Portugual, recently celebrated its one-year anniversary.

Founded in April of 2013 by a consortium of European waste management companies, ERCR says its objectives are to research, develop and innovate to prevent depletion of resources and to contribute to a circular economy, while remaining committed to high environmental standards.

According to a press release from ERCR, the centre’s creation emerged from the need to increase the efficiency and innovation of recycling processes. Members say they are working to study and share their experiences dealing with several types of waste streams (such as urban, industrial, electric and electronic equipment, end-of-life vehicles, construction and demolition, hospital waste and agriculture, etc.).

Furthermore, ERCR says a team of multidisciplinary researchers intend to transform scientific knowledge into useful innovation, and the centre aims to become a frame of reference for promoting and conducting applied research in the field.

Some of ERCR’s ongoing research projects include:

• recycling of fiber optic cables through the FIBER-CYCLING project
• recycling of lithium ion batteries of hybrid and electric vehicles, the RecycLion project
• a new way to recycle printed circuit boards (ELECTROCYCLING)
• transformation of refused-derived fuels into a liquid biofuel (RDF to FUEL)
• the centre also aims to innovate in the fields of collecting and sorting, as well as to develop new and competitive materials, providing accurate information on the reliability of those recycled materials.

ERCR says its environmental consulting department is developing studies and methodologies for determining environmental impacts associated with all stages of waste management. Additionally, this department, together with the analytical services of the centre, intends to contribute to legislative development initiatives.