Chemistry for sustainable recycling

One course in our master program about sustainable chemistry, SU, Stockholm

Abstract

The newly developed course (7.5 hp) in ”Chemistry for Sustainable Recycling” gives an overview and chemistry background on subjects related to a few different recycling projects. The course is composed of lectures and four different lab project (3 days each) with a follow up seminar.

1. Recycling of metals from E-waste, PCB (Al, Au and Cu).
2. Recycling of batteries (Litium, Cobalt, Manganese and NiMH).
3. Recycling of plastic (PET).
4. Recycling of phosphate from wastewater sludge and comparison with horse manure.

Many recycling processes do involve several chemicals where security issues are very important. A long-term goal would be to minimize the environmental impact as well from chemicals as the consumption of energy. Lab procedures in this very course do not exactly mimic industrially applicable processes in many cases but are intended to demonstrate important chemistry concepts.