The “Reflated Process” for efficiently and innovatively recycling liquid crystal displays (LCDs), run by a consortium which includes UK consultancy Glass Technology Services (GTS) Ltd., an independent…
The “Reflated Process” for efficiently and innovatively recycling liquid crystal displays (LCDs), run by a consortium which includes UK consultancy Glass Technology Services (GTS) Ltd., an independent subsidiary of British Glass, has recently won the Rushlight Waste Recycling Award. The Reflated Process treats the waste liquid crystal display screens, recovering the maximum value from the panels, including the liquid crystal, indium and glass. The process then integrates them into existing waste processing facilities. “The project was very timely,” said Dr Brian Noble, manager of GTS“ Glass Melting Department. “We“re all now used to flat panel TVs and monitors. But one thing that had not been considered was how to recycle them at the end of their useful life”. “Glass is a major component of LCDs with each screen comprising two glass sheets sandwiching a thin film of liquid crystal. GTS was asked to join the project to investigate how best the glass components of LCDs could be cleanly recycled”. The Rushlight Awards, held at the Connaught Rooms in London on 22 January 2009, celebrate the significant environmental, technical and innovative achievements of companies in the fields of renewable energy, clean fuels, power generation, water, recycling, waste and pollution management. The judges, environmental and government experts, said “The Reflated Consortium have identified a process which forms a novel approach to the entire treatment of waste LCD Screens. This is a clear technological advance allowing the treatment of a relatively new waste stream. It combines potentially significant environmental and economic benefits and we look forward to it making an impact soon”.