Croda Chemicals Europe has been encouraged by the interim results of trials investigating the potential of Recycled Glass Filtration Media (RGFM) as an alternative to traditional sand, at its site in Rawcliffe Bridge, near Goole. Croda's trial is being funded by WRAP. It is part of a wider initiative promoting sustainable waste management to encourage the use of materials made from recycled glass across a variety of industry sectors. The results of the Croda trial show the glass-based material is set to cut suspended solids in the site's wastewater by up to 80%. Suspended solids have a negative effect on the environment by de-oxygenating water & affecting river flow, to the detriment of fish & other aquatic life. It is desirable to reduce these to preserve the quality of the receiving watercourse. Croda's Rawcliffe Bridge site specialises in lanolin and derivatives. Products include surfactants for cosmetic creams and lotions, speciality lipids for dietary supplements and fatty acid amides. Tim Uppard, Process Engineering Section Head at the Rawcliffe Bridge site, which has a capacity of 50,000 tonnes a year, explained: "Environment Agency consents due to take effect in 2006 require the maximum level of suspended solids in our effluent be reduced to 50mg/l, compared to our average before the trial began in September of 250mg/l". "The agency tightly controls the amount of suspended solids treated water discharges can contain and organisations exceeding their limits can face hefty fines".
