Importance of Recycling the Waste-Cables Containing Copper and PVC

Abstract Urbanization, development of economy, increasing population and improved living standards and lifestyle have caused a sharp growth in waste. Inappropriate or inefficient waste disposal techniques can cause serious air, soil, and groundwater pollution, which subsequently can negatively affect the urban environment and threaten the health of residents. The goal of waste management is to move to a circular economy in which waste does not exist. If there is no possible way to reduce or reuse waste, the best solution is recycling it. Recycling brings abundant benefits on the economic and ecological levels levels, and helps reduce overall human health risk of adverse impacts. Recycling of the waste-cables which contain PVC and copper replaces the production of virgin PVC and mining of copper from copper ore, it reduces landfill solid waste pressures, saves energy and water sources, reduces emissions to environment, and also reduces negative impacts from improperly dispose of waste, etc. This paper presents an overview of recycling techniques for the waste-cables containing copper as a core and polyvinyl chloride as an insulating layer or sheath. It also lists advantages and disadvantages of these techniques and importance of recycling this type of waste.