New waste recycling processes show promise

Rubbish disposal is a critical and growing problem, especially in heavily populated areas. The job is becoming increasingly costly in terms of both energy consumption and sheer effort. West Europeans, like others elsewhere, are concerned about the issue. In Europe, attempts have been made with varying degrees of success to turn a social lemon into something of a lemonade. Indeed, the Commission of the European Communities is moving into the second phase of a four-year, $9 million research and development study program on the broad aspects of recycling urban and industrial waste. Meanwhile, three independent projects are afoot that will make garbage a valuable asset, if they are as successful as their proponents believe they will be. Furthest along is one at Ingolstadt, near Munich, West Germany, where a commercial-scale plant is being built to convert scrap plastic and tires into gas and a variety of chemicals. It is due for startup early next year. ...