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Unlike other materials, metals can be recycled frequently without their properties getting degraded. Scrap metal recycling helps to fulfill both a financial incentive and an environmental imperative. The aim of this paper is to look at some of the issues faced in metal recycling, especially at the primary level of scrap metal production. It assesses the current metal scrap recycling market in India in general and analyzes the industry's future growth potential by devising a business model. Tata Steel has been selected to devise a model based on its strategic fit for the aforesaid industry. The study systematically follows a mixed method of data analysis and meta-analysis for studying the business model and the market supply chains of existing players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Government of India has set the target of 60 GW wind energy capacity to be achieved by 2022. The Attributional Life Cycle Assessment methodology and E3-India model are used to study the total economic, energy, and environmental impact of the operational phase of wind turbines across the country. It is expected to generate waste from 2021 until 2051 at the rate of 217.89 tonnes/wind turbine, cumulatively amounting to 7.9 million tonnes. This generates an opportunity for recycling and resale of the metal materials worth USD 4.5 billion, which can be utilized in manufacturing 3.3 GW of wind turbines, thus emphasizing its high circular economy potential. The embodied energy and CO2 emission savings by substituting virgin material are estimated to be 17,215 GWh and 6,626 million tonnes, respectively. Thus, measures like Extended Producer Responsibility could help create a viable circular economy through the partially closed-loop recycling of wind turbines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copper alloys from an early-historic period site Kausambi, Uttar Pradesh, India were studied to understand the manufacturing technology and alloying practices through elemental analysis and microstructural examination. Most of the analysed samples were tin bronzes, and microstructure examination demonstrated casting, forging and annealing procedures adopted in manufacturing. Arsenic was absent in most of the samples, which may be due to recycling of the metal and awareness regarding the health hazards of this element among artisans. It is suggested that arsenic was not intentionally mixed in archaeological copper. On the other hand, tin was added in different quantities to meet the desired physical properties of the end-products. It is reported that copper metallurgy was developed in due course of time as a specialized craft in the Central Gangetic Valley, India and artisans of this region had mastered the copper-alloy technology since the early historic period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Substance flow analysis (SFA) provides a helpful tool for the study of the industrial metabolism of a certain substance within a regional level. This paper presents SFA of steel in four countries, namely Australia, Brazil, China and India. These countries are traditionally economically mineral dependent and are major contributors in global iron ore production. For example, in 2010 together these countries produced 81% of world iron ore. Based on the analysis it was found that Australian and Brazilian iron ore stocks will deplete rapidly while China and India are accumulating. This paper then presents a discussion on sustainability issues related to substance flows of steel stocks. The study is aimed at providing better understanding of stocks and flows and to inform the policy making for achieving the industrial metabolism and consequently leading to better management of resources and recycling of steel in the countries under study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The adversarial effects of construction and demolition (C&D) waste on the environment are on the increase. While materials such as metals, wood, glass and plastics are segregated and diverted for reuse/recycling, C&D debris consisting of concrete, bricks and tiles are landfilled in most of the countries. LCA studies have indicated a clear preference for recycling. However, it has been inferred that the environmental credits obtained in these studies were mainly from recycling of metals and wood and studies focusing on environmental impacts/benefits evaluation of C&D debris recycling is limited. This is particularly relevant in the cases of developing countries like India, where C&D debris forms a bulk of C&D waste generation. Therefore, this paper evaluates the environmental impacts of four different scenarios for managing C&D debris comprising the present (S1) and future (S2) landfilling options and recycling options without transfer stations (S3) and with transfer stations (S4). LCA according to ISO methodology is performed based on locally sourced data supplemented with Ecoinvent database. IMPACT 2002+ impact assessment method has been applied for environmental impact quantification using SimaPro software. Landfilling of C&D debris generates environmental impacts, and recycling scenarios generate environmental benefits in all 15 impact categories. Single score values of landfilling scenarios are 1.83 mPt (S1) and 2.78 mpt (S2) and that of C&D debris recycling are −2.56 mPt (S3) and −1.91 mPt (S4). The robustness of the results was shown through sensitivity analysis. Recycling remains beneficial compared to landfilling as long as the diesel and electricity consumption of C&D debris recycling facility remains less than 475% of the current consumption. Furthermore, even if the transportation distance from quarry to crushing unit is reduced to zero, recycling still remains a better alternative. The merit of considering the future landfilling scenario in the decision making has been discussed since the challenges that might be encountered in setting up new landfills are underestimated. The implications of the findings and their relevance to urban local bodies have also been discussed to help policymakers take informed decisions while facing challenges of managing C&D debris. • Landfilling of construction and demolition debris generates a net impact of 1.83 mpt. • Environmental benefits are observed in all 15 impact categories for recycling. • Recycling offers net environmental benefit of 2.56 mpt. • Recycling avoids 6.41 kg CO 2 eq emissions and saves 0.32 m2 land and 89.93 MJ energy. • Actual waste haulage distances have been computed to quantify CO 2 eq emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]