Cathode ray tubes glass recycling: A review.

ABSTRACT

With the rapid development in kinescope technologies, Cathode Ray Tubes (CRTs) now are almost completely replaced by thinner and lighter flat panel displays, such as liquid crystal displays (LCD), plasma display panels (PDP) and light emitting diode (LED) displays. Waste CRT glass contains many poisonous and harmful substances, especially lead. If it is not properly disposed of, it would pose a serious threat to the environment and human health. This paper reviews the existing waste CRT glass recycling technologies, analyses the obstacles that hinder their industrial application, pinpoints its future directions. This paper also points out the academic conflict in the risk of lead contained CRT glass and proposes a basic rule for waste treatment and disposal the lower risk principle. The results of this study could help to understand waste CRT glass recycling and guide its future research and development.