Urban Mining
Urban Mining (English for mining in urban areas ) or Stadtschürfung refers to the fact that a densely populated city is considered to be huge " commodity Mine". This urban mining involves the identification of anthropogenic deposits, the quantification of secondary raw materials contained therein, profitability calculations in the context of standing to available technical recovery variants and the currently achievable and future projected revenues, the economic recycling and recovery of the identified products of value and the integrated management of anthropogenic deposits. Here, the person is considered not only as consumers but also as producers of valuable resources.
Some of this mine is promoted for a long time. Scrap processing industry for decades and over again to new metal. Also from rubble again arises materials for other construction purposes. For years, we recycled in Germany glass, paper and plastic.
Differentiation of urban mines
The relevant distinguishing feature in the consideration of urban mines is - in terms of a life cycle assessment - the period of the release of resources, that is, the period of time the raw materials used in production and consumption goods are time-bound (Resource Conversion Cycle ).
Each of the four deposits of " urban mine " - production, consumption, disposal and treatment - has thereby an influence on the integral resource management within the meaning of "Urban Mining " and the release of resources: Beginning with one of the pre-production recycling-friendly product design (eg cradle to cradle ) to secure raw materials directly through the creation of new consumption strategies ( such as leasing ), the creation of efficient industrial redemption ( for example REWINDO ) and of household disposal systems (eg waste separation, collection systems ) to the development of effective treatment strategies with which a valuable qualitative and quantitative recovery of raw materials can be ensured. Depending on the bond period, the resources, the various mines in long - and short-term " urban mines " divide.
Significant differences are obtained for the various mines beyond even the level of value consistency, the effort required for the preparation for the use of secondary raw materials ( mechanical recycling, feedstock, energy ), the degree of impairment by the previous consumption and the recoverable revenue.
What can urban mining
Urban mining reduces the dependence of rising commodity prices and imports. Waste management companies save of the German economy by recycling already several billion euros. In the case of copper, now estimated to about 300 million tons are used. The reserves of copper amounted to about 490 million tonnes. Thus, those stocks that are included in infrastructure, buildings and medium- durable products, the natural reserves in terms of mass equal. Goes Helmut Rechberger from the Vienna University of Technology on the assumption that it is similar to the ratio in a variety of other raw materials.
Urban mining reduces the environmental impact. The recycling of different wastes saved since 1990, over 50 million tons of carbon dioxide, about a quarter of what the whole of Germany has since been a total savings of greenhouse gases. The intelligent use of raw materials also allows people in less developed regions of the world, to improve the standard of living sustainably.
Worldwide live for the first time in history more people in the city than in the countryside. In all probability in 25 years two thirds of the world population will live in cities. Particularly, where the income gap between urban and rural areas are high, the cities are growing rapidly. This is especially true for developing and emerging countries. In particular, in the areas of air, water and soil pollution are high investments expected. The need for investment in the infrastructure of the world's population centers Experts estimate by 2030 to an estimated $ 40 trillion.
Congress Urban Mining
The first congress urban mining was first held on 25 March 2010 held in Iserlohn site. It was planned as a cross-industry conference with an international orientation and renowned speakers. 85 representatives from industry, associations and universities gathered at the Congress Centre of the SASE, to devote himself to important future topics. The sustainability aspect ( environmental, social, economic ) was the focus of the event.
Meanwhile, the Congress was held in June 2013 for the 4th time and will continue to be held annually. In addition, since 2011 the Urban Mining Award is presented at the congress.
Urban Mining Award
The Urban Mining Award is an award since 2011 award for circulatory and environmental economics. The award is presented annually since then as part of the congress urban mining from Urban Mining eV. He draws his own words from special services and services for the promotion and implementation of a consistent circular economy. In addition, the Urban Mining Award promotes sustainable ideas, concepts and strategies for the circulatory and environmental economics. Known laureates were previously among other things, Klaus Töpfer ( 2011), Udo E. Simonis (2012), Ranga Yogeshwar (2012 ), Peter Baccini (2013 ) and Martin Janicke ( 2013).
Urban Mining e.V.
The Urban Mining Association is an association founded in March 2011, non-profit association based in Essen. The association is among other organizers of the annual trade conference Urban mining and, in the context of this event, conferred Urban Mining Awards. The Urban Mining Association promotes his own words sustainable ideas, concepts and strategies for the circulatory and environmental economy, including in particular the aspect of resource recovery and the measures taken the conscious use of natural resources of the earth. Other objectives of the association are the creation of education and training opportunities in higher education.
The Urban Mining Association was in 2013 on the initiative of Germany - Land of Ideas honored with the award " Excellent Location in the Land of Ideas".