Recycling case study: Investment Bank Data Centre
Mobile recycling unit shredding composite panelsA recent case study by WRAP describes the recycling of composite sandwich panels, comprising stone wool and steel facings, following the refurbishment of a computer data centre. 17,000m2 of Eurobond composite wall and ceiling panels were installed at the data centre in East Grinstead, Sussex. Waste resulting from doorway cut outs, off-cuts and site damaged panels, added up to 1,800m2 which was re-processed into new materials: steel and stone wool.
The case study forms part of an ongoing working partnership between Rockwool, Eurobond, Corus and GD Environmental.
Providing contractors with the unique ability to begin recycling on site, a mobile unit was brought in to shred the composite panels and separate all steel from stone wool whilst depositing it into individual containers for compression prior to delivery back to the manufacturers. Reducing the need for transportation, the mobile unit helps minimise both the environmental and financial impact.
The quality of all recovered steel and stone wool allowed the simple transfer of materials back into the manufacturing process. The form of the recovered steel enables it to be introduced into the blast furnace at a significantly lower temperature than is necessary for iron ore, thus lowering energy input and CO2 production.
