New Recycling Method for Pizza Boxes Could Benefit Environment and Military
Every day, millions of Americans enjoy a slice of pizza, but what happens to all those pizza boxes? Researchers at Idaho National Laboratory are working on a groundbreaking method to recycle pizza boxes, which could not only help the environment but also provide new resources for the military.
It’s no secret that pizza is a big deal in the U.S., contributing around $47 billion to the economy annually. A huge part of that pizza experience involves delivery in cardboard boxes, which unfortunately are hard to recycle due to the grease and cheese stains they collect. This issue has led to a significant amount of waste that typically ends up in landfills.
The contaminants on these boxes, known as FOGs (fats, oils, and greases), are tough to get rid of. But now, thanks to the efforts of scientists using innovative techniques, there may be a way to clean these boxes so they can be recycled properly.
A Scientific Breakthrough with Dual Benefits
At Idaho National Laboratory, researchers have developed a new recycling technology that uses dimethyl ether (DME) to decontaminate pizza boxes. This method involves separating the fats, oils, and greases from the cardboard through a chemical process, allowing the cardboard to be recycled without the usual contaminants.
The experiment uses a system with two reactors: one to extract the contaminants using DME, and another to separate and recover the DME for reuse. This process is more efficient than traditional water washing and results in less wastewater, making it both eco-friendly and cost-effective.
What’s even more exciting is that this research isn’t just about keeping our streets and dumps cleaner. The technology developed from recycling pizza boxes is also being adapted for military use. The goal is to help reduce the need for supply runs in combat zones, which can be dangerous for personnel.
From Pizza Parties to Military Missions
This recycling innovation came from a project initially aimed at transforming military waste into useful resources, like fuel, on the battlefield. By proving they can handle something as challenging as pizza box waste, researchers are now closer to applying this technology in military settings, where reducing waste and reusing materials can be a game-changer.
The system developed is not only effective but also being re-engineered to be lighter and more portable for military use. Innovations include switching out heavier components with lighter ones, such as using carbon fiber materials developed for NASA, which dramatically reduce the weight of the equipment.
As researchers continue to refine this technology, it opens up possibilities for other applications as well, like battery recycling. This could lead to better methods for disposing of and recycling a wide range of materials, supporting efforts towards a more sustainable and efficient future.
By starting with something as everyday as pizza boxes, the team at Idaho National Laboratory is showing how small changes in how we handle waste can lead to significant improvements in environmental conservation and military logistics.
