Recyclability and Recoverability of Rolling Stock with Recycling Efficiency Factors

To date, many studies focusing on recycling technologies, regulations and standards, material recovery, and environmental assessment of end-of-life products, end-of-life vehicles, and end-of-life ships have been conducted. In fact, the assessment of recyclability and recoverability for end-of-life products and vehicles is one of the most important issues in recycling and waste management. However, there is a lack of studies quantifying recyclability and recoverability at the end-of-life of rolling stock. Therefore, this study aimed to calculate their recyclability and recoverability taking into consideration the efficiencies of recycling and energy recovery processes. Experimental tests were conducted using a cone calorimeter and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) for the energy recovery factor (ERF) values of four interior materials, which are not given. As a result, the end-of-life rolling stock revealed 84.8% recyclability and 88.3% recoverability by considering the recycling and recovery efficiencies. From this study, it was found that increasing and managing the efficiency of recycling process of materials are essential for better recyclability and recoverability of rolling stock. Attention is also needed when choosing the material recycling factor (MRF) and ERF of materials because the values can vary depending on the product type.