Potential of Recycling Ash From Resource Recovery Facilities in California

In 1981, in response to Industry and government interest in recovering materials ordinarily destined for disposal, the California State Solid Waste Management Board commissioned a study entitled Utilization of Residue From Resource Recovery Facilities. This research project has encompassed examination of all aspects of residue utilization—technical, environmental, economic, institutional and regulatory—in an effort to accurately determine the promise and problems of developing residue utilization. The report serves as both a documentation of research and a source document for those desiring further information. Most of the research activity on residue recycling occurred during the period from the middle 1960’s to early 1970’s. The hiatus, however, appears to be ending with a current upswing of research activity in the United States. While both foreign and domestic residue recycling activities were examined, it is important to note that this report concentrates on the domestic development of residue recycling; the prohibitive cost of document translation prevented access to some foreign reports. While several promising applications have been identified for residue, the best demonstrated use is as an aggregate material in bituminous base course pavements. Residue has also been shown to perform excellently as subbase and fill material; however, use of residue in this manner raises serious environmental questions in California.