UPFRONT ERA changes name
MRF Update
Machinex single-stream sorting system providing higher quality output for SOCRRA Located in Troy, Michigan, the Southeastern Oakland County Resource Recovery Authority (SOCRRA) material recovery facility has been fully operational since mid-January. The newly installed Machinex single-stream system is expected to double capacity, from 15,000 to 30,000 tons per year, and is already producing higher quality materials, compared to the dual-stream system it replaced. The contract for construction of the new facility, including building coordination and equipment, was granted to Machinex after a public bid in 2017. SOCRRA’s expanded building, with construction done by Machinex partner Cambridge Companies, includes the new single-stream system along with new tipping floor space and a new twolevel education room. When evaluating the operational needs of their MRF, SOCRRA says they also decided to move forward with new staffing solutions, provided by
Leadpoint USA. “Leadpoint’s highperformance work team model is now in place at the SOCRRA facility, bringing the operation to full staffing levels,” said Leadpoint’s Todd Hubbard. ‘’This project has been an exciting challenge for Machinex since it was the first, complete turnkey project, including the building expansion, that we were managing,” said Chris Hawn, CEO of Machinex Technologies Inc. “We are extremely pleased with the workflow throughout the project’s preparation, which has been a success thanks to the excellent collaboration we have had from Cambridge, Leadpoint and SOCRRA.” This new system has a 15-tph capacity and includes sorting technologies such as a two-deck MACH OCC screen, a MACH One ONP screen, a MACH Ballistic separator as a finishing device, a ferrous magnet, a Machinex Eddy Current Separator, a three-cubicyard waste compactor, and a glass cleanup system.
The Electronic Recycling Association (ERA), a non-profit organization focused on e-waste and the increasing “digital divide” announced recently that they are rebranding to the Electronic Reusing Association. The organization says this comprehensive rebrand elevates the focus on reuse rather than recycle and this will be evident in their new logo and website within the coming months. Throughout 2018 ERA will be slowly introducing their new name to the public, in time for the organization’s 15th anniversary in March 2019.
GFL now one of largest environmental service providers in North America Toronto-based GFL Environmental Inc. recently announced it has entered into an agreement to recapitalize GFL Environmental Holdings Inc. with investors led by BC Partners, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan and others. The transaction implies a total GFL enterprise value of approximately $5.125 billion, making GFL one of the largest environmental services companies in North America.
RRF auction at ISRI 2018 sets records As part of its continuous effort to provide funds for college students and industry research, the Recycling Research Foundation (RRF) raised a record amount of nearly $40,000 through its annual silent auction, held at ISRI 2018 in April. RRF promotes the art and science of scrap processing and recycling through research, sponsorships, technical assistance, and educational programs.
Research & Education
EREF expands presence in Canada In early 2017, the Environmental Research & Education Foundation (EREF) and the Ontario Waste Management Association (OWMA) convened in Ontario with the goal of exploring the work EREF is undertaking in the U.S. and to discuss the development of a Canadian research platform that would meet the needs of the country’s waste management sector. Out of this meeting, the EREF Canadian steering committee was created and convened for the first time March 8, 2018, to discuss how the committee will operate, as well as pinpoint and prioritize solid waste issues affecting Canada. According to OWMA, outcomes of the meeting included the identification of additional Canadian entities to participate on
12 Recycling Product News May/June 2018
the committee, as well as key areas for research, and emphasized that organics management will be the primary focus of initial research initiatives, with additional near-term issues including recycling and greenhouse gas quantification. In addition to the creation of EREF’s Canadian Steering Committee, the Foundation increased Canadian funding through an endowed scholarship. Currently, the EREF Canadian steering committee is comprised of individuals from Waste Connections of Canada, OWMA, Molok North America, GHD, Waste Management, Region of Peel, Region of Waterloo, City of Toronto, University of New Brunswick and GFL.