Re: plastic waste

[TomB@merra.org (Tom Borton)]

Vince:

There is a Michigan company that might shed some light on this.  Try contacting:

        Scott Melton
        American Commodities, Inc.
        2945 Davison Road
        Flint, MI  48506
        (810)767-3800

They are doing some very interesting things with painted/coated plastics
(automotive bumpers, etc.).

Tom

>P2Techers,
>
>Not sure if this is the right place to post this, but I'll do it anyway.  If
>there is a better electronic list or contact, please let me know.
>
>I just got a call from a plastic car parts manufacturer regarding
>approximately 10 - 20 tons per year of molded/painted automotive trim with
>nylon attachments, metal studs, "bright strip," etc... The base material is
>thermoplastic polyolefin or (TPO).  I asked a bunch of questions about the
>source of this waste and was told that it is mostly prototypes, defective
>parts generated during the "launch phase" of new product lines, and left
>overs/overruns from older parts (apparently older product lines are kept
>around for future body work and repairs).  
>
>The company apparently reworks and regrinds some of the material, but there
>is more left over than they can deal with.  The stuff does have good BTU
>value, but tends to clump in the incinerator, drip through the incinerator
>grates, and cause fires - or something like that.  The last resort is to
>send the stuff to a secure landfill.
>
>My first thought is that a manufacture of TPO-related products might be able
>to use the material, but it seems pretty contaminated with paint, nylon and
>metal fasteners.  I'm kinda stumped on this one.
>
>Any ideas, such as waste exchange leads, would be appreciated.  Thanks in
>advance.
>
>Vince Perelli
>
>
>
>*****************************************************
>
>Vincent R. Perelli
>New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services
>Pollution Prevention Program
>6 Hazen Drive
>Concord, NH 03301-6509
>phone:  603  271-2902
>fax:    603  271-2456
>perelli@deswmdpl.mv.com
>
>A thought from E.F. Schumaker in 1973 - "We must begin to see 
>the possibility of evolving a new life style, with new methods
>of production and new patterns of consumption;  a life-style 
>designed for permanence"
>
>******************************************************
>
>
>
Thomas E. Borton                    telephone: (313)930-0033
MERRA                                     fax: (313)930-0145
2901 Hubbard Road                     e-mail: TomB@MERRA.org
Suite B-106
Ann Arbor, MI  48113