[convolvatron]

don't forget copper and alloys of it. and reclaimed woods that we can't afford to grow any longer. and wood fiber products. and hdpe. and lead.

no. its not like we can really close the loop, but there are a lot of things that are perfectly viable to melt down and reuse.

in my shop, and quite a lot of others, we have a crucible and a rolling mill for metal scraps of any sufficiently valuable material.

[ars]

> and reclaimed woods that we can't afford to grow any longer. and wood fiber products. and hdpe.

Copper (all metal) yes. But reclaimed wood costs more than alternatives. I looked into it once - the premium I would have to pay to keep wood out of a landfill was just unrealistic.

Wood fiber is only worth it from industrial plants that create it in quantity, and without contaminants.

HDPE is not worth recycling - it costs more than just making it fresh.

I propose just burn it for energy (and thus reduce oil use). Then use that oil to make other HDPE. The lifecycle works out better that way.

[quotemstr]

You're right. Scrap metal collection, architectural salvage, and so on are all important forms of reuse. I was being a little glib and talking mostly about the kind of multiple-plastic-bin consumer goods recycling that's most visible.