Scientists turn waste glass into everyday products
Scientists Have Developed A Way To Turn Waste Glass Into Every Day Products, Such Fertilisers, Detergents And Toothpastes, A Process That Could Save Tens Of Millions Of Tonnes Of Glass From Going To Landfill Every Year.
Scientists have developed a way to turn waste glass into every day products, such fertilisers, detergents and toothpastes, a process that could save tens of millions of tonnes of glass from going to landfill every year.
Researchers from University of Queensland in Australia have developed a method to extract liquid silicate from waste glass. It can be used to make thousands of products, from concrete sealers and fertilisers to detergents and toothpaste, researchers said.
“We estimate the process is more than 50 per cent cheaper than conventional ways of producing silicate,” said Rhys Pirie, a PhD student at University of Queensland.
“It requires less energy, raw materials and capital, and that’s before you consider the reduced social and economic costs compared to landfilling material,” Pirie said. The method also leaves behind little waste, with nearly all of the glass being turned into saleable products, researchers said.
“My PhD has highlighted how we need to make use of both the raw materials in ‘waste’ streams and the energy embodied in them during manufacture,” said Pirie.
UniQuest, the univerisity’s commercialisation company, has filed a patent covering the process and is now seeking commercial partners.
For all the Latest Science News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
More from Science
Maternally blessed at the age of 45 years after being childless for 16 years
ISRO congratulates NASA and SpaceX for their "historic" manned mission
Four Indian cosmonauts resume training in Russia for Gaganyaan mission
17 pc decline in global carbon emissions due to COVID-19 lockdown: Study
Good News: NASA develops high-pressure ventilator to fight COVID-19