ABB GOE 2600 Installation And Commissioning Manual page 80

Metals
Metals should be sorted according to type and surface coating, and sent to an approved recycling plant. After
the removal of paint or other surface coatings, clean metal can usually be melted down and used in new
products. Many metal components of iron, steel and aluminum are large and easy to identify, e.g. support
structures. Hitachi ABB Power Grids strives to reduce the use of precious metals and the release of
environmentally hazardous metals.
The recycling of precious metals is particularly important. Metals such as copper and silver are expensive,
and are only present in small quantities in the earth's crust. Copper is primarily used in current conductors,
contacts and cables. Some contacts are silver plated. Fumes from some metals can cause environmental
damage, this applies to zinc and nickel, which are used sparingly as surface coatings.
Plastics
The different types of plastic should be separated and sent to an approved environmental waste treatment
plant or recycling plant. The energy content in thermoplastics and thermosetting plastics can often be
recovered through combustion at a plant built for the purpose. Thermoplastics can usually be melted down
and reused without significant loss of quality. Composites can be fractioned and used as filling materials in
other materials, or be disposed of.
Oils and greases
Before disposal of the bushing, oil, grease and similar products must be removed and sent to an approved
environmental waste treatment plant or recycling plant. By utilizing gravimetric forces, oil waste can be
separated into oil, water and a range of contaminants. In many cases, the oil can then be reused. As an
alternative, the energy content in oil can be recovered through combustion at a plant designed for
the purpose.
Rubber
Send rubber to an approved environmental waste treatment plant, either for disposal or reuse for
different purposes.
Rubber is used in seals and gaskets.
Other materials
Sort other materials and send them to an approved environmental waste treatment plant.
80 Installation and commissioning guide
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