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Monitor glass
The taken-back electrical appliances predominantly include TV sets and computer monitors. A major part of their weight consists in monitor glass (approx. 60 % of weight). This glass contains elevated concentrations of lead.
In processing CRT monitors, the front TV screen and the rear conus glass are removed mechanically. The luminophore layer is removed from the inner side of the fluorescent screen by suction or washing. The thus-cleaned glass has traditionally been used for the production of new CRT monitors. However, interest in this material has been decreasing as the demand for new CRT monitors has decreased substantially. At the present time, new CRT monitors are produced only in several factories in Eastern Asia. Use of CRT glass for the production of new CRT monitors (closed-loop recycling) is thus becoming impractical in the long term and material recovery of glass has become a global problem.
Given the fact that it is anticipated that the frequency of CRT monitors amongst taken-back appliances will increase at least until 2012, the ASEKOL collective scheme has resolved to assist its contractual treatment operators in dealing with this issue. Together with their representatives, an independent advisor, experts in the area of construction materials (the Research Institute for Construction Materials in Brno) and with participation of the ME, it has created a working group dealing with the potential for material recovery of the glass.
At an international level, ASEKOL has initiated establishment of a working group for recycling of glass from CRT monitors attached to the WEEE Forum. This group is chaired by the ASEKOL representative.
Published on: 18. 02. 2009
Author: Zuzana Rygálová