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Step 6Disposal
SUMMARY:
While it may seem to soon to consider disposal, since you've only just finished building the fixture, a plan does exist.
DETAIL:
The intent of the design is that the fixture's component parts should go into the particular disposal streams that can recover the most value from each component.
To enable this, the fixture is easy to disassemble. There are only a small number of fasteners that attach the diffuser, aluminum mounts, and sockets, to the wood base.
Of course, the first resort would be to re-purpose the components, as this would preserve 100% of their value. The sockets should be reusable, as long as they are not damaged or obsolete. Wire and switch will continue to be useful as long as we use electricity.
Next most likely to be reused are the aluminum mounts and sundry fasteners.
The wood base could be incinerated in a municipal facility or in a home stove or fireplace. This would recover some energy from the wood. The finishing products used on the wood would burn as cleanly as the wood.
The aluminum would best be recycled. It is my belief that in 10 years time, there will be convenient collection for all forms of aluminum and other metals.
The PVC used for the diffuser will probably have to go to landfill.
The crimped wire connectors will go to landfill.
IN-PROCESS WASTE and PACKAGING MATERIALS
I took a photograph of the waste produced through manufacturing, and included the packaging waste from the electrical components.
The wood off-cuts will be used for another project. The chips from planing will go into the garden.
Paperboard packaging materials will be recycled through municipal collection.
The PVC off-cuts will stay in my shop for a while, waiting for suitable project. (In case you haven't already figured it out, I am a pack rat.)
All other materials will go to landfill. This includes: the aluminum chips; the polyethylene bags; the PVC blisters and PVC grinding and sanding dust; and the rag I used to apply the tung oil.
While it may seem to soon to consider disposal, since you've only just finished building the fixture, a plan does exist.
DETAIL:
The intent of the design is that the fixture's component parts should go into the particular disposal streams that can recover the most value from each component.
To enable this, the fixture is easy to disassemble. There are only a small number of fasteners that attach the diffuser, aluminum mounts, and sockets, to the wood base.
Of course, the first resort would be to re-purpose the components, as this would preserve 100% of their value. The sockets should be reusable, as long as they are not damaged or obsolete. Wire and switch will continue to be useful as long as we use electricity.
Next most likely to be reused are the aluminum mounts and sundry fasteners.
The wood base could be incinerated in a municipal facility or in a home stove or fireplace. This would recover some energy from the wood. The finishing products used on the wood would burn as cleanly as the wood.
The aluminum would best be recycled. It is my belief that in 10 years time, there will be convenient collection for all forms of aluminum and other metals.
The PVC used for the diffuser will probably have to go to landfill.
The crimped wire connectors will go to landfill.
IN-PROCESS WASTE and PACKAGING MATERIALS
I took a photograph of the waste produced through manufacturing, and included the packaging waste from the electrical components.
The wood off-cuts will be used for another project. The chips from planing will go into the garden.
Paperboard packaging materials will be recycled through municipal collection.
The PVC off-cuts will stay in my shop for a while, waiting for suitable project. (In case you haven't already figured it out, I am a pack rat.)
All other materials will go to landfill. This includes: the aluminum chips; the polyethylene bags; the PVC blisters and PVC grinding and sanding dust; and the rag I used to apply the tung oil.
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Apparently, polyethylene bags are now recyclable in our area.
I suppose the tung oil rag could be composted; it would be interesting to see if/how much the oil protects the rag in that environment.
This particular formulation tung oil does not contain any drying agents. Others, and especially linseed oils, do contain drying agents which are metals such as cobalt... toxic.
Thanks for your comment!