ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book considers sources of metal wastes, disposal alternatives and the current status of recycling. It examines the relevant regulatory framework. The book investigates the benefits that recycling provides to resource conservation. It presents a state-of-the-art review of the technologies relevant to nonferrous waste metal separation and recovery. The book describes that the technology discussion encompasses the demands of multimetal waste streams. It addresses the rapidly changing economics of metal recovery. The book explores that an assessment is made of the prospects for recovery and recycling of nonferrous metals and identifies. It defines some of the obstacles to recycling and the promising approaches for enhancing recycling. The principal emphasis is on a review of relevant separation technology which has promising potential for adaptation to technically feasible, economic recycling for the diverse, relatively small-scale waste streams of the electrical, electronic, machinery, and metal-finishing industries.
