NOT built to last
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Unlike many other materials, nickel can be recycled without degradation of properties. Therefore, nickel's value to society is preserved. |
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Nickel magazine, Mar. 02 -- Normally, in these pages, we extol the virtues of products
designed to last twenty, fifty, even one hundred years or more. Nickel-containing stainless steels, because
of their corrosion resistance, are more durable than other materials and therefore are useful for a much
longer period of time.
Durability is especially important in industries in which maintenance consitutes a high proportion of
operation costs, such as chemical processing, architecture and water treatment and distribution.
Nickel-containing materials reduce the number of replacements required over the long-term operation of a
facility and this, in turn, reduces the rate at which resources are depleted. In short, resources are used
more efficiently when products are designed to last.
This month, however, we offer feature articles on two nickel-containing products that are not designed to last. More precisely, both products, which are employed in the electrical and electronics sectors, are designed to last only as long as they are current and useful.
As new computer models are produced with additional functionality, older models become obsolete. The rapid pace of change in the computer electronics industry means that products are obsolete in as little as three years. Consequently, the amount of computer scrap becoming available every day is increasing at an alarming rate. If it is sent to landfill, are the metals contained in these products being used efficiently? The extraordinary efforts of a few companies (see story) are beginning to turn the tide by recycling computer electronics on a large scale. It is the inherent recycleability of nickel that makes it an appropriate metal for these applications: the metals recovered can be reused many times over without a loss in quality.
Consider also rechargeable batteries used to power portable electronic devices. These are designed to last for only a few years of constant use before they need to be replaced. So, again, the question of resource efficiency arises. What do consumers do with spent rechargeable batteries? In North America, they can return them to a point of sale, but what happens to the batteries then. This is the topic of a photo essay. Sadly, the nickel in rechargeable batteries is, at present, less likely to be recycled than the nickel used in many thousands more applications worldwide. However, consumers are gradually becoming aware of mechanisms that are in place for these materials to be returned to the production chain and not lost to landfill.
The recycleability of nickel, then, is one of the keys to its sustainable use in the electrical and electronics industries. "It is important that electronic goods be designed for cost-efficient, environmentally-friendly recycling," says NiDI Technical Director, Gary Coates. "Designers can be confident that by choosing nickel-containing materials for their products, the nickel can be recovered at end-of-life and be reused." Unlike many other materials, nickel can be recycled without degradation of properties. Therefore, nickel's full value to society is preserved.
pwhiteway@nidi.org
Photo: NORANDA INC.
