Kuusakoski Recycling Processes Several Million Pounds of U.S. CRT E-Waste Within Months of Opening New Facility

PEORIA, Ill., March 10, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Since opening its Peoria, Illinois, cathode ray tube (CRT) glass crushing plant five months ago, Kuusakoski Recycling US, has received and processed several million pounds of CRT glass and added 20 new green jobs to the Peoria economy. At over 40 percent of the e-waste stream, CRT devices, such as old computer monitors and televisions, dominate electronics recycling. Historically, such devices have been expensive to process across the globe. Within the first few months of opening its facility, Kuusakoski has demonstrated the KleanKover recycling solution to be both cost-effective and exceed EPA compliance regulations. The KleanKover solution is 40 percent less expensive than conventional methods and routinely tests 30 times below EPA limits for lead concentration.

"Processing CRT glass requires diligence and dedication to the highest standards of excellence," said Anssi Takala Vice President of Sourcing, Sales & Logistics for Kuusakoski Recycling US. "We are pleased to be providing the most affordable solution in the US to manage this significant portion of this e-waste stream. Both device manufacturers and municipalities are working with us to manage their CRT waste streams responsibly."

Working in partnership with Peoria Disposal Company (PDC), Kuusakoski recycles and processes CRT tubes by crushing the glass, extracting the metal in and on the glass, and stabilizing the lead content in the funnel glass to prevent it from leaching into the environment, all at a cost of up to 40 percent below current processing methods.

The CRT recycling solution, called KleanKover, treats leaded CRT glass and tests it twice with Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) analysis. This verifies compliance with the EPA Universal Treatment Standards (UTS) of .75 mg/L lead concentration. KleanKover samples are routinely testing below .02 mg/L.

"For the KleanKover to even qualify for use as ADC, it undergoes the same rigorous treatment procedure PDC also uses for K061 Electric Arc Furnace dust, which is the largest hazardous waste stream generated by volume in the U.S. today," said Chris Coulter, Vice President at Peoria Disposal Company. "As we anticipated, the KleanKover TLCP testing has gone very smoothly. In fact, the treated CRT glass is consistently testing at 30 times below EPA limits."

After testing, the KleanKover glass material is beneficially used as Alternate Daily Cover (ADC) at PDC's Indian Creek Landfill, which is permitted by the Illinois EPA to receive the material. Using the treated CRT as ADC offers an environmentally and socially superior alternative to the use of virgin soil to meet daily cover regulations.

The KleanKover Recycling Solution is detailed in the white paper "An Analysis of the Demand for CRT Glass Processing in the U.S." 

About Kuusakoski US, LLC
Kuusakoski US is the US division of Kuusakoski Recycling, one of the largest and most reputable recyclers of metal and electronics in the world. Founded in 1914 and headquartered in Espoo, Finland, Kuusakoski operations span 12 countries, 3 continents and 48 states. The company provides cost-effective, environmentally responsible recycling services to e-waste collectors and recyclers, enterprises, small businesses, nonprofits, original equipment manufacturers, and government and municipalities. With a century-long history, Kuusakoski is both an original pioneer of the recycling industry and modern innovator of today's leading recycling technology. Kuusakoski's processes have been honed over a century to the highest level of efficiency and environmental standards. For more, please visit www.kuusakoski.us.

About Peoria Disposal Company
Peoria Disposal Company, founded in 1928, provides solid waste collection, recycling and disposal services in a 40-county region in Central Illinois, as well as six counties in Eastern Missouri and Southeastern Iowa. Besides conventional garbage pickup services, PDC also provides hazardous and nonhazardous waste transportation, treatment and disposal services in 13 Midwest states, as well as water analytical services for municipalities and industry throughout the Midwest. For more, please visit www.pdcarea.com.

Media Contacts:

Kuusakoski US, LLC
Lisa Ann Pinkerton
[email protected]
408-806-9626

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SOURCE Kuusakoski Recycling US