Where do I get the stats on how much pollution is created in the recycling process?

Question

I don't want to know how much energy it costs to recycle, rather than how much energy it costs to manufacture. What I want to know is HOW MUCH POLLUTION IS CREATED IN THE RECYCLING PROCESS. Then I can compare how much pollution is caused in the manufacturing process and see which is more polluting.

Do not post answers citing how much energy is used, because that is NOT a correct answer, because you cannot count on coal being used as the electricity generator anymore. There is wind and solar power being used in a lot of places and that will change. I want to know how much pollution is created in the plastic, aluminum and paper recycling processes. I noticed a huge stench and poor air quality near a recycling plant nearby, that's why I'm asking.

Answer 1

It sounds like you are asking how much it costs to manufacture the paperclips that were once a Toyota Camery. For that information you need to look at the individual plants that utilize recycled material. Recycling plants will turn the cans and cars into usable material for other plants to use to make new junk for Americans to buy. To find out how much energy was used to create rour post consumer content coffee cup would require you to look at the coffee cup manufaturing plant.

Answer 2

In the States, all of the mill's environmental permits, reports, violations, etc are open to the public at the State's Dept of Environmental Protection (all discharges are sampled on a regular basis and reported every month).  Often, these can be viewed on-line by a quick search.

I've run several paper recycling plants that make pulp for white papers.  The quality of the effluent (waste water discharged into the receiving waters) will vary some from state to state, depending on the quality and flow in those receiving waters; for example, in one plant, we discharged into a slow moving stream that was great for trout fishing.  In that stream, we had to have a minimum of 5 ppm DO (dissolved oxygen) in the flow.  In faster flowing streams in other parts of the country, this wasn't an issue because the steam would aerate itself.  In those cases, we might have a DO of 2-3.

Other typical discharges contain maximum and average values that are generally calculated on a monthly basis.  You could expect to find solids loading somewhere around 1000 lb/day average, CBOD numbers about the same, and pH roughly close to neutral.  Some states tie discharge limits to daily production numbers to promote high treatment plant efficiencies at all time.  On a unit basis, these numbers will run somewhere around 100 mg/l or less.   The goal is not to change the natural characteristics of the receiving waters.

As far as odors, virtually every state has an noxious odor ordinance.  A poorly run plant might smell like rotten eggs (hydrogen sulfide).  This would most likely be a violation of the ordinance.  If you suspect this, call the local DEP and complain - it has been my experience that they arrive on site as soon as you hang up the phone.  Using meters, all of the characteristics of the air are quantified and compared to ordinance limits.  Naturally, any exceedences have to be corrected immediately.