Events

Description:

Announcing The GOLDEN GATE POLYMER FORUM
February Dinner Lecture
Wednesday, February 17

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"Recycling - The Polymer Solid Waste Problem"Dr. Richard S. Stein Emeritus Professor of Polymer Science & Engineering, University of Massachusetts at Amherst

Wednesday, February 17, 1999
Location: Capriccio Ristorante Italiano
325 Sharon Park Drive (Sharon Heights Shopping Center), Menlo Park, CA
Restaurant phone: (650)- 854-6822

Social Hour: 6:00 pm
Dinner: 7:00 pm
Talk: 8:00 pm
Dinner Choices: Chicken Picata, Calamari Siciliana, Capellini Con Pomodoro Fresco (Vegetarian), or Salmon

Cost: $30

RESERVATIONS: Call or e-mail any of the following contact persons. Please indicate a dinner selection and contact information (how we can reach you).

Allen Nixon
(650) 361-5535
anixon@raychem.com
and / or
Subbu Venkatraman
(650) 494-5035
subbu.venkatraman@alza.com
and / or
Lothar Kleiner
(650) 494-5632
lothar.kleiner@alza.com
(Note that Lothar can not respond to voice or e-mail from Feb 12 to Feb 16).

RESERVATION DEADLINE: 5 pm, February 16. Note: We must ask you to be liable for the cost of your dinner if you register and do not attend; cancellations may be made up to the registration deadline.

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"Recycling - The Polymer Solid Waste Problem"

Dr. Richard (Dick) S. Stein Emeritus Professor of Polymer Science & Engineering, University of Massachusetts at Amherst

ABSTRACT
The volume of polymers being used has greatly increased, exceeding that of metals. This presents an environmental burden and consideration of means for dealing with it is essential. One may consider reduced use, use of substitute materials, recycling, degradation, incineration, and, ultimately, landfilling. There is concern about the availability of suitable sites for landfills, so there is need for developing alternatives.The volume of polymers being used has greatly increased, exceeding that of metals. This presents an environmental burden and consideration of means for dealing with it is essential. One may consider reduced use, use of substitute materials, recycling, degradation, incineration, and, ultimately, landfilling. There is concern about the availability of suitable sites for landfills, so there is need for developing alternatives.
In these considerations, the expenditure of energy and economic factors are of importance. While there is strong public favor for recycling, economic limitations persist, leading to a reduction in the fraction of the polymer waste that may be dealt with by this means. The advantages of incineration with energy recovery are considered. Environmental objections to this means are resolvable.
A further concern about use of polymers is that they are obtained from petroleum, a non-renewable resource. However, it is pointed out that only about 4% of the petroleum resource is used for polymer production, so concern should be for the approximately 90% used for fuel.