Recycling and disposal of refractories

Environmental regulations, product stewardship programs, concerns over landfill disposal and future liability have brought about increased emphasis for recycling or alternate use of refractory materials. Chrome oxide has been the most visible refractory to be regulated. EPA expects disposal of hazardous chrome refractories to be accomplished by treatment and/or recycling. The disposal of chrome-containing refractories is the largest and most serious refractory disposal problem that exists. Many manufacturers have stopped using chrome-containing refractories rather than address the issue of hexavalent chrome disposal.