RECYCLING PRODUCT NEWS
METAL TECH ALLEY
HOW A RURAL TOWN IN B.C. IS BUILDING A HUB OF HIGH-TECH INNOVATION AND CIRCULAR ECONOMY PAGE 22
PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40069270
AG-PLASTICS EPR IN THE BAG PAGE 34
CWRE 2019 IN REVIEW PAGE 58 OCTOBER 2019
SCRAP
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WASTE
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C&D
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ORGANICS
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FEATURES 22 COVER STORY METAL TECH ALLEY E-waste and metals recycling key to
high-tech circular economy model in B.C.’s interior
30 INCREASING RECOVERY OF FERROUS FROM BOTTOM ASH BY 50 PERCENT 32 CPIA REPORT POINTS TO GROWTH IN PLASTICS RECYCLING CAPACITY 34 AG-PLASTICS EPR IN THE BAG Managing agricultural plastics
CONTENTS OCTOBER 2019 | Volume 27, Number 7
50 EQUIPMENT FOCUS: MATERIAL HANDLERS The latest models for recycling
58 CWRE 2019 IN REVIEW Our report from Canada’s biggest
56 HOW TO START A CORPORATE WASTE DIVERSION PROGRAM
61 LAST WORD NO NEED FOR SKEPTICISM IN PLASTICS RECYCLING
waste and recycling event
by Joe Hruska, CPIA
the Cleanfarms way
38 UNDERSTANDING FLEXIBLE PACKAGING FOR RECYCLING 42 WORKING TO SAVE THE GLASS
22
cover story
44 ONE BIN, ALL IN New facility in Maine built to
accommodate shift to commingled trash and recyclables collection
46 U.S. PILOT PROJECT FIRST TO USE BINS MADE FROM UNSORTED WASTE On the cover: Terry Van Horn, executive director of the Lower Columbia Initiatives Corporation, at the e-waste recycling plant in Trail, B.C. FOLLOW US
@recyclingpn
34 October 2019 www.recyclingproductnews.com
7
CONTENTS
RECYCLING PRODUCT NEWS
OCTOBER 2019 VOLUME 27, NUMBER 7 EDITOR Keith Barker kbarker@baumpub.com; 604-291-9900 ext. 305 ASSOCIATE EDITOR Lee Toop ltoop@baumpub.com; 604-291-9900 ext. 315 MANAGING EDITOR Kaitlyn Till ktill@baumpub.com; 604-291-9900 ext. 330
44
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Lawrence Buser lbuser@baumpub.com; 604-291-9900 ext. 310 ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Sam Esmaili sam@baumpub.com; 604-291-9900 ext.110 ACCOUNT MANAGER David Gilmour dgilmour@baumpub.com; 604-291-9900 ext. 105 ADVERTISING PRODUCTION MANAGER Tina Anderson production@baumpub.com; 604-291-9900 ext. 222 DESIGN & PRODUCTION Morena Zanotto morena@baumpub.com; 604-291-9900 ext. 325 CIRCULATION baumpublications@circlink.ca; 1-855-329-1909 PRESIDENT / PUBLISHER Ken Singer ksinger@baumpub.com VICE PRESIDENT / CONTROLLER Melvin Date-Chong mdatechong@baumpub.com FOUNDER Engelbert Baum
46 DEPARTMENTS 12 UPFRONT 18 SPOTLIGHT 22 COVER STORY 30 METALS RECYCLING 32 PLASTICS RECYCLING 40 MRF OPERATIONS 46 HAULING & COLLECTION 50 EQUIPMENT FOCUS: MATERIAL HANDLERS FOR RECYCLING
50 8 Recycling Product News October 2019
56 58 61
IC&I RECYCLING EVENT REVIEW: CWRE 2019 LAST WORD
Published by Baum Publications Ltd. 124-2323 Boundary Road, Vancouver, BC, Canada V5M 4V8 www.baumpub.com Phone: 604-291-9900 • Toll Free:1-888-286-3630 Fax: 604-291-1906 Recycling Product News is published eight times yearly: January/ February, March, April, May/June, July/August, September, October, November/December. Advertising closes at the beginning of the issue month. One year subscription rates for others: Canada $33.50 + 1.68 GST = $35.18; U.S.A. $40; other countries $63.50. Single copies $6.00 + 0.30 GST = $6.30; outside Canada $7.00. All prices are in Canadian funds. Recycling Product News accepts no responsibility or liability for reported claims made by manufacturers and/or distributors for products or services; the views and opinions e xpressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of Baum Publications Ltd. Copyright 2019, Baum Publications Ltd. No portion of this publication may be reproduced without permission of the publishers. Printed in Canada, on recycled paper, by Mitchell Press Ltd. ISSN 17157013. PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40069270. Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Circulation Dept., 124-2323 Boundary Rd., Vancouver, B.C. V5M 4V8; e-mail: baumpublications@ circlink.ca; 1-855-329-1909 or fax: 1-855-272-0972.
FROM THE EDITOR
transition to producer responsibility top of the agenda in Ontario
F
“
What I like about the
new system that we are implementing is that it is outcome based. It’s removing prescription, it’s getting government out of the way so that businesses can set up their commercial arrangements and form markets to make recycling and recovery work.” Frank Denton, CEO, RPRA
rank Denton, CEO of the Resource Productivity & Recovery Authority (RPRA) spoke to hundreds of attendees October 9 at the Canadian Waste to Resource Conference in Toronto. The RPRA, created in 2016, is a central organization involved in Ontario’s current rollout and development of producer-responsibility-based end-of-life management programs. New programs, currently in various stages of roll-out, are being put in place for tires, e-waste, hazardous and special waste (including single-use batteries and propane tanks), and for curbside blue box recyclable fibre and plastics (aka packaging and printed paper). Denton described the RPRA mandate as one that supports and oversees Ontario’s transition to a circular economy. “We don’t deliver stewardship programs,” he explained, “we just implement the policy we’re given and the directions we’re given from the Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks.” He said the RPRA’s key responsibilities include building a registry for each sector that will transition, educating industry, governments and the public about the transition, and working with businesses and all stakeholders to make the change as easy as possible. “It’s going to be a very busy time ahead,” said Denton. “Driving this kind of change requires a lot of collaboration.” Denton commended the efforts of the Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks and its Minister Jeff Yurek – from which the privately funded RPRA receives direction and to which it is accountable – saying they have much to be proud of with respect to the progress of the transition so far. In August, Minister Yurek issued the lat-
est “wind-up letter” to industry stakeholders, outlining the plan for transitioning Ontario’s blue box system, over three years starting in 2023. For single-use batteries and e-waste, the new program start dates are set for 2020, with hazardous and special waste (MHSW) starting in 2021. The new end-of-life tires program, the first to be up and running, has been in operation since January. Denton provided an explanation on how the program for tires works, in basic terms: If selling or supplying tires into Ontario, businesses need to register with the RPRA, and report on the amount of tires that the business supplies to the market. This sets a recovery target as a producer. Then the same business is required to report on end-of-life tires collected and processed, so the RPRA can assess whether the target has been met. The final step is to establish a province-wide collection system. So far, he said, it’s working. “Almost all the companies in the tire industry that needed to register have done so. Tires are being collected, processed or retreaded, and producers are on track to meet their targets. This is not a more expensive system than the old one, even in the first year of transition. It’s working because investment and innovation is happening.” He continued, “What I like about the new system that we are implementing is that it is outcome based. It’s removing prescription, it’s getting government out of the way so that businesses can set up their commercial arrangements and form markets to make recycling and recovery work. We are very hopeful and optimistic that this is going to work, that it is going to drive better recovery rates and make us a more sustainable society overall.”
Keith Barker, Editor kbarker@baumpub.com 888-286-3630; 604-291-9900 ext. 305
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UPFRONT INDUSTRY EVENTS
Rotochopper 9th Annual Demo Day includes announcement of new partnership with Lindner Rotochopper hosted customers and prospects from around the world at their 9th Annual Demo Day event on September 12. The Rotochopper team and over 200 guests were not hampered by the inclement weather in St. Martin, Minnesota, at Rotochopper’s headquarters, with a full schedule of machine demos, factory tours, educational sessions and networking filling the day. The event was organized around the theme “Partnership Through Innovation.” Rotochopper’s newly appointed president/ CEO Tosh Brinkerhoff welcomed attendees with remarks focused on his excitement about experiencing his first Demo Day event. He also announced a new partnership between Rotochopper and Lindner Recycling to sell and service low speed, hightorque shredders in North America. “We look forward to a strong partnership!” said Brinkerhoff. “We have the same focus on high-quality machines and
excellent customer service.” Rotochopper’s 2019 Demo Day began with tours of the company’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in St. Martin, providing attendees with the opportunity to see the process behind Rotochopper grinders, from cutting to final inspection and testing. Equipment demonstrations kicked off with the B-66 L-Series track and dolly grinder, showing the versatility and ease of the Rotochopper Gen II Track & Dolly system. Also on display, the FP-66 B-Series grinder, enhanced with new features and design updates, showed off its applicability for those that need a full-feature grinder for high volume, mid horsepower applications. The 75DK shredder from Lindner and the MC-266 horizontal grinder (shown here) took the stage mid-afternoon, showing attendees how these machines can turn stumps and mixed C&D into coarse fibre with unmatched efficiency.
CORPORATE NEWS
Stellex Capital Management to sell Morbark to Alamo Group Stellex Capital Management, a middle market private equity firm, has entered into an agreement to sell Morbark, LLC, the manufacturer of high-performance horizontal and tub grinders, equipment and aftermarket parts for the forestry, recycling, tree care, sawmill, land clearing and biomass markets, to Alamo Group for $352 million. The sale includes all assets and operations of Morbark and its affiliate brands. “Together with Stellex, Morbark has achieved our strategic vision by greatly enhancing operations and implementing lean initiatives and best-in-class manufacturing practices that have resulted in new and improved redesigns, significant reductions in lead times, and improved delivery performance,” said Dave Herr, CEO of Morbark. “We are grateful for our time with Stellex and look forward to the next chapter as part of Alamo, an ideal suitor given its operating philosophy that will allow us to maintain our brands, operations and successful momentum, while further enhancing various operational synergies and accelerating international growth.”
12 Recycling Product News October 2019
E-WASTE
Shift Group and GEEP Canada merge to form Quantum Lifecycle Partners The Canadian operations of GEEP Canada and The Shift Group of Companies (consisting of Shift Recycling and Revolution) have merged to form what they expect to be Canada’s most vertically integrated electronics recycler and ITAD services provider. “I am excited to bring these two organizations together under one brand and one vision with two incredible shareholder groups,” said Gary Diamond, founder of Shift Recycling and president of the newly formed Quantum Lifecycle Partners. “There are synergies we will unlock to create a sustainable company for all our stakeholders, especially our team members and customers.” The two companies officially launched as Quantum Lifecycle Partners LP on October 1. Initially, no changes in day-to-day operations will be experienced as Quantum begins to optimize operations, and expand service offerings. Quantum Lifecycle boasts wide reach across Canada with eight facilities in four provinces and over 400 employees.
MORE INDUSTRY NEWS RecyclingProductNews.com
ECONOMICS OF RECYCLING
Economic impact of recycling in U.S. estimated at $110 billion
“The devices we recycle, refurbish and resell along with the EPR laws under which we operate are becoming increasingly complex,” said Diamond. “Quantum is well positioned to tackle both of these challenges with a sustainable corporate structure and scale required to service customers from coast to coast.”
Based on a new study conducted by John Dunham and Associates and released by the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI), the recycling industry is responsible for an overall economic impact of nearly $110 billion in the USA, “The recycling industry continues to power America’s manufacturing base, creating jobs, generating tax revenue, and proving valuable feedstock for new products,” said Joe Pickard, chief economist for ISRI. “In the U.S., we continue to process more material into valuable commodities, seventy percent of which is used right here by American manufacturers. With the innovation and new technologies coming online, this trend is expected to continue upward.” “Recycling has always been based on supply and demand,” continued Pickard. “Yet, at no other time have there been such fluctuations in global market conditions and demand for the high-quality scrap produced by the U.S. The fact that the industry is responding to these outside forces, and remaining an economic force is a testament to its ability to adapt and a strong workforce.” On September 24, ISRI President Robin Wiener briefed the U.S. Recycling Caucus on the industry’s latest numbers. Among many points made by Wiener at the meeting, she said “Recycling in the United States is an important economic engine and job creator. The recycling industry directly employs more than 164,000 Americans in jobs averaging $73,000 in wages and benefits annually, while generating $110 billion in economic activity and $13 billion in federal, state, and local tax revenue.” She also reminded the caucus that “Successful recycling requires market demand. . . If there is no end market to utilize the recyclable materials that are collected, they will not move, regardless of the volume of material collected. And collection without consumption is not recycling.” October 2019 www.recyclingproductnews.com
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UPFRONT TIRE RECYCLING
Ecolomondo’s new turnkey tire recycling facility in Ontario to process over 18,000 tons of used tires per year Ecolomondo Corporation hosted its groundbreaking ceremony on August 21 to launch construction on its latest generation TDP (tire-derived products) turnkey plant that will be located in Hawkesbury, Ontario. The ceremony was held in the presence of numerous dignitaries and community representatives (shown right). “Once commissioned, this TDP turnkey facility will set the stage for Ecolomondo’s global expansion,” said Eliot Sorella, president and CEO of Ecolomondo. “This facility will be an industry first, where it will not only process the tire waste but will also process end-products to improve their quality, marketability, consistency and value.” According to Ecolomondo, the new Hawkesbury TDP turnkey facility will be a first of its kind and be used as a technological
showpiece to promote TDP turnkey facilities internationally. This state-of-the-art facility will be housed in a 46,200-squarefoot building on approximately 12 acres of land and consist of four processing departments (shredding and rubber preparation, thermal, carbon black processing and oil distillation). When fully operational, the facility is expected to process a minimum of 18,000 tons of tire waste per year and produce approximately 5,300 tons of recovered carbon black, 47,600 barrels of oil, 2,000 tons of steel, 1,800 tons of fibre and 1,600 tons of process gas.
INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIPS
Rigaku Analytical Devices announces partnership with Metal Analysis Group Rigaku Analytical Devices, Inc. has announced a new partnership with Metal Analysis Group, a premier analytical consulting firm with expertise in elemental analysis for metal production, fabrication, positive material identification (PMI), metal recycling and testing markets. Based in Houston, Texas, Metal Analysis Group, with its team of scientists and engineers spread throughout North America, will support Rigaku KT Series laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) product sales and support in the USA, Canada and Mexico. The partnership couples Rigaku Analytical Devices’ state-of-the-art handheld technologies with Metal Analysis Group’s value-added programs, including: affordable lease and rentto-own plans, industry-leading product and application support, and convenient regional support. “Metal Analysis Group will be a great resource for our customers and a welcome addition to the Rigaku Analytical Devices organization,” said David Mercuro, sales director at Rigaku.
14 Recycling Product News October 2019
SAFETY
SWANA continues to raise awareness about worker safety in solid waste The Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) has identified at least 30 solid waste worker fatalities in 2019, as of July 31, in the United States and Canada, with an average of more than four worker fatalities each month this year. Collection remains the deadliest aspect of the job, with 19 fatalities recorded. Of those deaths, 31 percent were single vehicle crashes and 26 percent were the result of a worker being struck by their own vehicle. Post-collection safety remains a concern as well, with seven on-the-job fatalities at landfills, three at MRFs, and one at a transfer station. Even when not on the road, being struck by another vehicle or heavy equipment was the most common cause of death. “Solid waste collection is the fifth most dangerous job in the United States; we need to reduce the frequency of incidents involving our workers and vehicles,” stated David Biderman, SWANA’s Executive Director and CEO. SWANA’s efforts to improve industry safety were highlighted at the 7th SWANA Safety Summit at WASTECON 2019, held in Phoenix, Arizona, October 21 – 24.
MORE INDUSTRY NEWS RecyclingProductNews.com
WASTE DIVERSION
New MRF in combination with anaerobic digestion project aims to raise diversion rate above 85 percent Santa Barbara County, California, has buried about 200,000 tons of annual trash in its Tajiguas Landfill since 1967. The landfill was on track to hit its capacity in about six years, until the announcement of a renewable energy project that is expected to extend its life by an additional decade. The ReSource Center project broke ground last winter and is a $130 million effort to reduce the area’s carbon footprint by reclaiming items heading to landfill that can instead be recycled or composted using anaerobic digestion to create energy. Combined, the new project is expected to raise the region’s landfill diversion rate above 85 percent. The Santa Barbara County ReSource Center will include a municipal solid waste (MSW) materials recovery facility to accept material from the South Coast and Santa Ynez Valley areas of Santa Barbara County. The MRF will sort and reclaim recyclable items as well as organic matter. According to County estimates, 60 percent of the waste that is currently dumped in the landfill is recyclable or organic. Equipment for the new MRF will be provided by Van Dyk Recycling Solutions. Installation is scheduled to begin in 2019 on a mostly automated system that will process MSW and both commercial and residential single-stream waste through three infeed lines. The system includes size reduction to break down oversized materials and bag openers to liberate recyclables. Material will be processed through two 3D trommel screens, various sizing screens, air density separators, three elliptical separators, and 11 optical units that will recover and separate paper and containers. A paper dryer will also remove moisture and prepare fibre for end markets. The facility is expected to recover approximately 30 percent of recyclables and up to 30 percent of organics.
SEPARATE SMARTER
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15
UPFRONT ECONOMICS OF RECYCLING
Alberta’s recycling sector has billion dollar potential according to RCA report
Alberta’s recycling sector generated $700 million in economic value in 2018, as well as supporting over 7,500 direct jobs, new analysis has found. The analysis also highlights the potential to increase this contribution in future to $1.4 billion in economic value, and 13,000 jobs. The report, commissioned by the Recycling Council of Alberta (RCA) and funded by Alberta Economic Development and Trade, Alberta Recycling Management Authority, Beverage Container Management Board, and Cleanfarms, documents the type and scale of recycling in the province. Undertaken by Eunomia Research & Consulting, it measures the economic and employment benefits the sector brings to the province, including job creation, wages, provincial tax benefit, capital investment and overall contribution to Alberta’s Gross Domestic Product. The results of the report were presented at the Recycling Council of Alberta conference, Sea Change, at the Jasper Park Lodge on October 2. The study found that more residents had access to services than previously thought, with 75 percent of all Alberta households able to access curbside recycling services, and 44 percent also having access to organics diversion programs. In total, the research estimates that 1.15 million tonnes of material was diverted for recycling in 2018, an average of 260 kg per Alberta resident. Researchers from Eunomia also found that, despite the overall success of the sector, significantly more could be done to increase the amount of recycling taking place. The analysis found that taking action to increase and diversify Alberta’s recycling programs could almost double the amount of material being diverted for recycling, with accompanying economic benefits. “This report confirms Alberta’s recycling industry already provides significant value to our economy, and validates the additional value that would be created if Alberta expanded and enhanced its recycling systems to simply meet what is already achieved in other provinces,” said Jodi Tomchyshyn London, president of the RCA. “The bottom line is Alberta has an opportunity to capitalize on its waste generation and diversify its economy by moving swiftly to adopt progressive approaches that will see materials like packaging and paper effectively managed to become part of a circular economy.”
16 Recycling Product News October 2019
MORE INDUSTRY NEWS RecyclingProductNews.com
Canada ranks near top of latest list for worst waste management Sensoneo, a provider of smart, enterprise-grade waste management solutions operating in 40 countries worldwide, has ranked OECD nations according to the environmental impact of their waste management. The analysis ranks Canada in eighth spot, better than Mexico (4th) but worse than the U.S. (12th) out of 36 countries analyzed. Called the Sensoneo Global Waste Index, the report analyzed kilograms of waste processed using the most common methods, including recycling, incineration, landfilling and open dumping. Factoring in the amount of waste per capita and the amount unaccounted for, the analysis allocated a number of positive or negative points relative to the amount of CO2 emissions, methane and environmental contamination caused by each method, on average. According to Sensoneo, Canada sends 510 kilograms of waste per capita per year to over 10,000 landfill sites across the country.
e-Stewards certification updated The e-Stewards ethical certification program has launched a new version of the Standard for the Responsible Recycling and Reuse of Electronic Equipment. The new Version 4.0 is designed to be shorter, simpler and less prescriptive while retaining and improving performance and rigour, particularly in the area of data security. The standard, which is administered by the Basel Action Network, has been under development for eight months, and will undergo two comment periods before its final release in February, 2020.
Government of Canada announces initiative to advance fibreglass recycling In September, Transport Canada issued a challenge to Canadian small- and medium-sized businesses to develop innovative solutions for recycling or reusing fibreglass in an energy-efficient way which recovers as much material as possible, and which would specifically keep boats made of fibreglass from landfill, or from being dumped or abandoned on land or in the water. So far, under the Canadian Plastics Innovation Challenge, Kingston, Ontario-based Jeosal Materials Research Corporation has received $118,625 to develop a possible solution for recycling fibreglass.
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SPOTLIGHT
Latest dual-drum magnetic separator from IMI designed for mixed metals recovery
Gensco Super Strippers designed for heavy cable
Industrial Magnetics, Inc. (IMI) recently designed a dual-drum magnetic separator to meet the high purity level demands of a customer’s mixed-metals recovery application. According to IMI, the customer needed to remove ferrous metal contaminants from a conveyed product stream of nonferrous metals, such as aluminum and titanium, which would then be resold as raw materials for further processing. A high purity outcome was essential for capturing the maximum selling price at market. IMI explains that due to the nature of their design, magnetic drum separators are continuously self-cleaning units. Material to be processed generally enters the top of the magnetic drum separator and flows across the surface of the drum. As the drum shell rotates around a stationary magnetic field, all nonferrous product, which is unaffected by the magnet, falls free from the drum into the cleaned material flow. Any ferrous tramp metal is captured by the magnetic field and held onto the drum’s surface. As the shell of the drum
GENSCO’s recently introduced SUPER STRIPPERS are designed to effectively strip a wide range of heavy-duty cable and wire. Units will effectively process standard and armoured electrical cable, PVC-covered, lead, rubber, nylon, subsea, tech, XLPE, REDA and insulated tubing. With three models to choose from, Super Strippers can be configured to process small common wire from 3-mm (1/8-inch) round to 205-mm (8-inch) round. Throughput can reach up to 90 feet per minute.
rotates, the metal is carried past a diverter and released outside of the magnetic field. For this particular customer application, IMI says a dual-drum magnetic separator design was employed given the customer’s faster rate of processing and inconsistencies in their product burden depth. By passing the product stream over two, consecutive magnetic drums, the customer is assured of the highest level of separation possible. These units can be provided as drum-only or as a complete assembly with the housing and drive included.
These machines are easy to adjust for the various sizes of cable, and larger models offer standard electric pendant controls to adjust cutting blade depths and overall cable diameter. In addition, most models come complete with a rear shake out table for fast, simple and effective stripping and sorting.
Ecolo’s BioStreme 401 goes beyond odour control Engineered to combat serious nuisance odours, such as those present in anaerobic digestion (AD) applications where organic waste is turned into biogas for heat and electricity, Toronto-based Ecolo Odor Control Technologies Inc. has developed the BioStreme line of products. These concentrates are biodegradable, safe to use and are specifically formulated to enhance growth and reproduction of beneficial indigenous bacteria to effectively manage odour in virtually any biological treatment process.
18 Recycling Product News October 2019
Ecolo’s BioStreme 401 product is a specifically engineered formulation, consisting of micronutrients and complex organic extracts, designed to effectively control noxious odours by repressing odour-producing biological processes. This not only manages odour, but also benefits anaerobic digestion by improving VSS and COD removal efficiency, accelerating decomposition and stabilization rates, increasing treatment efficiency and biogas production, and delivering operational cost savings.
According to Ecolo, a 2016 study conducted by Professor Ahmed Eldyasti of York University showed that using BioStreme 401 in an anaerobic digestion application (as pictured right) enhanced the biological metabolic rate of the bacteria and improved organic removal, solids destruction and methane production by up to 46 percent. BioStreme is available in seven bacteria-free formulations, for a range of applications including AD/ biogas production, composting, solid
OUR LOOK AT THE LATEST NEW AND UPDATED EQUIPMENT, TECHNOLOGY, PARTS AND SYSTEMS FOR RECYCLING AND WASTE MANAGEMENT
Gladiator hard drive shredders designed for destruction including CDs, DVDs and Blu-Ray, as well as tape media including credit cards, ID badges, floppy discs, VHS and computer tape. Units are designed
for easy operation, require minimal floor space, are powered by a 4.5-hp motor, and are available in electrical configurations.
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Gladiator Hard Drive Shredders from Intimus are high torque, low-speed shredders designed specifically for the physical destruction of a wide range of digital storage media. These compact yet powerful devices feature specially hardened cutters that rip items into small shreds. The shredder is equipped with two separate cutting chambers, each with its own clearly labelled feed chute, which allows the Gladiator to be used for both HDD and SSD media. Large cutters on the HDD side destroy conventional hard drives including chassis, platters and circuit boards, while smaller cutters on the SSD side destroy solid state drives, optical media
Increase Product Purity and Increase Profit with Bunting’s Stainless Steel Separation Conveyor Bunting’s patented SSSC® Stainless Steel Separation Conveyor™ maximizes your stainless steel recovery and removal in auto shredding and wire chopping streams. • Recover up to 98% of small and mid-fraction 300 series stainless steel • Recover up to 94% of large fraction stainless steel from ASR zurik lines. • Achieve maximum removal of stainless steel and ferrous dust from wire fraction. • Provides you with the purest zurik, maximizing your scrap metal recovery profitability.
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October 2019 www.recyclingproductnews.com
19
SPOTLIGHT
Enhanced TOMRA X-Tract X6 Fines capable of sorting the smallest metal fractions Unveiled at Aluminum USA 2019 this past summer, the X-Tract X6 Fines with enhanced X-ray technology detects and sorts metal grains half the size of what was previously possible, according to TOMRA Sorting Recycling. Ideal for high-purity sorting of mixed nonferrous metal fractions, X-Tract X6 Fines uses TOMRA’s exclusive and field-proven high-speed X-ray transmission (XRT) technology, which sorts materials according to differences in density. Broadband radiation penetrates materials in the sorting line to obtain spectral absorption, which is measured by the X-ray camera. The process identifies the atomic density of the materials regardless of their thickness. According to TOMRA, by increasing the sensitivity of the high-resolution X-ray camera, this machine makes it possible to detect and sort grain sizes as small as 0.2 inches, thus measurably reducing product losses for recyclers. Extensive trials of the X-Tract X6 Fines in high-throughput applications have proven the machine’s ability to consistently attain unrivalled purity levels of 98–99 percent. X-Tract X6 Fines is also equipped with TOMRA’s proven Duoline Dual Energy technology, which employs two independent devices with different spectral sensitivities, so that materials are sorted regardless of thickness. By detecting and prioritizing between single-object and area processing, Duoline technology recognizes differences in objects overlapping on the sorting belt, a significant advantage when lines are running higher throughputs.
Whereas previous X-Tract models sorted materials into highand low-density fractions, the new X-Tract X6 Fines features multiple density channels. This allows a greater number of classes for separating materials according to density, achieving greater sorting precision, even with mixed metals and small grain sizes. “TOMRA’s new X-Tract X6 Fines technology is unrivalled with regard to the size of material detected and sorted,” said Carlos Manchado Atienza, regional director Americas at TOMRA Sorting Recycling. “While retaining many of the familiar controls of the field-proven X-Tract technology, the X-ray sorting technology of X-Tract X6 Fines reaches new levels of sophistication, which enables sorting operations to unlock even more value from secondary materials.”
Hitachi High-Tech launches updated line of Vulcan+ LIBS hand-held analyzers Hitachi High-Tech Analytical Science has launched an updated line of handheld Vulcan+ laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) analyzers. The range includes updates to its Smart and Expert models, while a new Optimum+ model has been added. The new Vulcan Optimum+ model has been optimized for analyzing aluminum alloys, features a new high-performance spectrometer enabling the measurement of lithium in aluminum alloys, and is capable of measuring boron-aluminum alloys. Boron and lithium are both elements that cannot be measured with any hand-held X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) analyzer, according to Hitachi. The Vulcan Optimum+ is an ideal tool for
20 Recycling Product News October 2019
identifying modern aerospace alloys in both manufacturing and scrapyards. In addition, calibrations for the updated Vulcan Smart+ and Expert+ models have been revised and extended, and new elements have been added. The Vulcan+ range of analyzers enables users to identify metal alloys in just one second, delivering productivity gains in both manufacturing QA/QC and at the scrapyard. In addition, the Vulcan+ range will continue to benefit from advanced reporting direct from the instrument, compatibility with the ExTOPE Connect mobile phone app, and cloud connectivity for data transfer, storage and real-time access to results anytime, anywhere.
OUR LOOK AT THE LATEST NEW AND UPDATED EQUIPMENT, TECHNOLOGY, PARTS AND SYSTEMS FOR RECYCLING AND WASTE MANAGEMENT
New Trident from Buffalo Turbine provides triplecoverage dust control Buffalo Turbine introduced their Trident dust control solution, at the Waste & Recycling Expo Canada in Toronto, October 9–10. The new Trident system has three separate turbines all powered by the same Kohler 74-hp diesel engine, capable of three times the coverage area of single turbine dust controllers. Different from other dust control units on the market, this unit is self-contained, meaning no generator is required, maintenance costs are lower, and less space is required for a complete dust control system. According to Buffalo Turbine, each of the three turbines on the new Trident model uses their Gyratory Atomizing Nozzle technology, which does not clog like conventional nozzle tips. The Trident is available with one, two or three oscillation kits to match desired coverage.
CONTINENTAL BIOMASS INDUSTRIES 6800CT HORIZONTAL GRINDER
• Produces more than 200 tons an hour • CAT C27; 1050hp or optional CAT C32 1200hp engines • Hog box raises for fast and easy screen and tip changes • 40” diameter by 60” wide forged, high-strength rotor core • Large capacity feed hopper easily handles full-length trees • Metal Detection System protects machine from tramp metal
OUTPRODUCE • OUTPERFORM • OUTLAST CBI • 22 Whittier Street, Newton, New Hampshire 03858 USA • (603) 382-0556 • www.terex.com/cbi October 2019 www.recyclingproductnews.com
21
COVER STORY
Terry Van Horn, executive director of LCIC, which has led the Metal Tech Alley initiative in Trail, B.C. 22 Recycling Product News October 2019
METAL TECH
ALLEY
HOW A RURAL TOWN IN B.C.’S INTERIOR IS BLAZING THE TRAIL TOWARD A HIGH-TECH CIRCULAR ECONOMY
BY JUDE SMITH
M
etal Tech Alley is the brand name for a collection of over 80 high-tech companies located in and around the rural town of Trail in the West Kootenays in southeastern B.C. The region, with a population of about 19,000, is home to an extended supply chain of industrial support service businesses, including large global players, engineering and IT firms, and tech startups. With research showing a very high concentration of PhDs per capita, Metal Tech Alley represents massive intellectual assets and a platform for economic development that is unique and attracting ongoing investment. The Metal Tech Alley initiative is led by the Lower Columbia Initiatives Corporation (LCIC), a regional economic development partnership, and community partners surrounding the town of Trail. The Metal Tech Alley brand was established following research undertaken by LCIC, which was partially funded by Vancouver-based Teck Resources Ltd. (Teck’s Trail operations are one of
the world’s largest fully integrated zinc and lead smelting and refining complexes.) The research considered the region’s key assets, areas of expertise and the current and future economic outlook. At the heart of the circular economy in Metal Tech Alley are three companies with a focus on turning end-of-life products into valuable materials, including two specialized recycling operations and one high-purity metals refiner. Retriev Technologies and KC Recycling are cornerstones of the local economy, recycling a range of batteries, e-waste and other materials from around North America and beyond. The third company, Fenix Advanced Materials, takes intermediate material from Teck, refining it into ultra-high levels of purity for very specific cleantech applications. According to Terry Van Horn, executive director of LCIC, Metal Tech Alley’s success so far is based on a strategy of growing the economy of the region by attracting like-minded, ambitious people, companies and innovators. The focus is on building industry and infrastructure, including recycling and circular-econOctober 2019 www.recyclingproductnews.com
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COVER STORY
The team at KC Recycling, a lead-acid battery recycling specialist and part of Metal Tech Alley, Trail, B.C. Photos courtesy of Stacked Films. omy-based businesses, as well as digital fabrication, advanced materials/metallurgy and other innovative tech-based industry. She says the initiative is making bold moves to harness the next wave of technology, and at the same time entice people and businesses out of nearby cities and more populated areas, including Vancouver and Calgary, into the region. “We live and breathe industry 4.0 every day,” says Van Horn. “Having a Fortune 500 company like Teck in our business community led us to recognize the opportunity to use this kind of asset to drive innovation. Many materials that are processed locally are leaving our region daily. By better understand-
“
For businesses and individuals looking to cash in on the circular economy and get out of the city, Metal Tech Alley offers a real opportunity. . .” Terry Van Horn
24 Recycling Product News October 2019
ing our value chain, entrepreneurs are finding incredible opportunities to build and process new value-added businesses right here in southeastern B.C. “It’s no surprise to us that we are becoming recognized as a leading area in industrial business transformation,” continues Van Horn. “We have industry experts that are choosing to move to the region because they see opportunity here.” One example, she says, is Pilar Portella, previously executive director of Innovate Okanagan, who has selected Metal Tech Alley as the location for her company, i4C innovation. “i4C is an industry 4.0 hub that is focused on Industrial Internet of Things and is proactively working with technology innovators to bring tech into very large industrial applications.” “Metal Tech Alley stimulates growth with strategies and tactics that focus on our industry and technology partners by connecting the dots and creating a network to achieve success,” comments Portella, i4C’s CEO. “The collective desire to collaborate and drive business opportunities that are helping to transform the region are a big reason why we chose this location for i4C.” “We are also working with the National Industrial Symbiosis Program (NISP) to create a value chain analysis and resource map that will help our
future strategy,” continues Horn. “This kind of activity typically doesn’t find its way to rural areas, but we’re bringing it to rural B.C. because we want to lead the transition towards a clean environment and the circular economy. Our local visionaries have harnessed existing infrastructure, developed talent and helped create a desire to innovate and continue to build global businesses here.”
RETRIEV TECHNOLOGIES
Metal Tech Alley’s proximity to the U.S. border (about a five-minute drive) combined with the region’s growing expertise and focus on industrial processing, makes Trail the perfect location for Retriev Technologies. Established in 1993, Retriev’s facility was started primarily to treat lithium batteries, and was built in Trail because of the availability of argon (originally needed for the process). The availability of well-trained industrial personnel and a willingness from the B.C. Ministry of the Environment to provide a temporary permit to test their newly patented process, provided additional incentives for their location in Trail. Retriev now offers the only location in North America that manages primary and secondary (rechargeable) Lithium and Li-Ion battery recycling under one roof, according to Van Horn.
With a hazardous waste treatment permit issued by British Columbia’s Ministry of Environment & Climate Change Strategy, Retriev’s Trail facility manages all battery types and processes lithium-based batteries for metal recovery. The facility has processed three million pounds of batteries so far in 2019 and over 46 million pounds since it began operations. Retriev started out processing lithium primary batteries in 1993. Lithium-ion batteries were first processed in 1996, when a manufacturer in the Lower Mainland (the region around Vancouver, B.C.) was looking for a company to treat their scrap. Retriev developed its lithium-ion recycling process in-house over the early years of the company, constantly modifying and improving the process. From those early days the company went from processing small single cells and consumer lithium-ion batteries, to hybrid and electric vehicle batteries. The process involves dismantling large battery packs down to the module or cell level and then processing them through a mechanical process which removes the electrical and fire hazard of lithium-ion batteries. The process separates the batteries into fractions for recovery by other metal producers. For lithium-primary batteries, according to Retrieve, the main hazard is the contained lithium metal and the associated electrical hazard. Batteries are stored in concrete bunkers until they are ready for processing. Depending on size and makeup, they are then frozen in liquid nitrogen, just prior to processing. This lowers the reactivity of the batteries while they are mechanically broken down in a brine solution. The lithium metal reacts with the water, dissolves and cathode components are neutralized. After separating different materials the lithium can be recovered as lithium carbonate. While Retriev’s Trail location is the only facility in Canada, the specialist battery recycler operates out of other strategic locations in Lancaster, Ohio, (including the head office and recycling facility), another facility in Baltimore, Ohio, and has executive offices in Anaheim, California. Kathy Bruce, Senior VP of Retriev’s Trail operations explains: “The Retriev
business model is based on selecting locations that match the current and future needs of the markets we specialize in, and investing strategically in technology to match current and future market requirements.” She says Retriev is currently developing new processes to make value-added products from recycled materials and has seen double-digit growth in volumes of lithium-ion batteries recycled
www.elvselect.com 519.400.5204 sales@elvselect.com
over the past five years. The company definitely anticipates a robust future – particularly with respect to the growing market for plug-in electric vehicles. “Our focus over recent years has been to position ourselves to serve this emerging market by developing relationships and establishing contracts with most major OEMs, readying our business for explosive growth in these products,” says Bruce.
E
L
V
October 2019 www.recyclingproductnews.com
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COVER STORY KC RECYCLING
Retriev’s Kathy Bruce at the plant in Trail where they anticipate a robust future – particularly with respect to the growing market for plug-in electric vehicles, and the large number of batteries that will require recovery.
Retriev’s research and development team continues to refine and improve its processes, seeking to create more value from the recycled materials with a strict focus on developing in line with the company’s expertise in batteries and related components. Current process improvements aim to shorten the supply-chain from recycled materials to new battery components.
26 Recycling Product News October 2019
KC Recycling is a great example of a company that is focused on business built around the concept of a circular economy. The company identified a critical need for the lead smelting operation at Teck’s Trail location to have a lead-acid battery breaker in immediate proximity. KC’s location in Trail as part of Metal Tech Alley, combined with their core competencies in lead-acid battery recycling, has allowed the company to fit into this role, and create a true circular economy for Teck’s operations. KC takes Teck’s end-of-life lead-acid batteries, processes them and then provides raw material back to Teck, supplying both lead and sulphuric acid. Overall, KC Recycling manages three recycling streams. Lead-acid car batteries, cathode ray tubes and electronic scrap. Products arrive from U.S. and Canadian sources, via road and rail. Metal Tech Alley’s location makes it very easy to receive goods from the U.S., due to its proximity to the border, and in particular because Trail is one of the few locations where a U.S. rail line crosses into Canada. Plus, as one of only a few lead-acid car battery breakers in Western North America, (the other closest facilities
are located in Minneapolis and California) KC Recycling currently processes 40,000 tons of this waste stream per year. “We are finding real advantages to being located in Trail,” says Pete Stamper, CEO of KC Recycling. “The lead-acid car battery market is a real niche for us and we are currently studying a major investment to almost triple our capacity to meet growing demand in our market. This market growth is driven by expanding energy storage needs. KC Recycling is well positioned to be the preferred recycler [of lead-acid batteries] in Western North America.” Another niche area for KC is leaded glass recycling from cathode ray tubes. While this waste stream is in decline overall, there is still good economic justification to offer the service, particularly as KC is also one of the few remaining facilities with the capability to manage this type of material. As a specialist in
this area, Stamper says their business has become very efficient at managing the process. Electronic-scrap, or e-scrap, is the final waste stream that KC Recycling currently handles. Specializing in first-stage recycling, the company is currently processing over 20 percent of all the e-scrap materials in B.C. through its disassembling and sorting facility in Trail, which feeds supply chain partners handling the next stage of processing. “Locating in Metal Tech Alley is key to us as the logistics of moving heavy materials around can be very prohibitive,” says Stamper. “Being a very short distance from our smelting partner, Teck, we can take advantage of efficiencies that are only available because of proximity. Additionally, vendors, contractors and other business leaders in the area are experts with metals. The workforce here is a key enabler to
KC Recycling’s Pete Stamper.
ROLL-OFF BIN TARP SYSTEM Swat® Roll-Off Tarp System • Replacement parts are completely compatible with competitor rack and pinion system parts. • Powder-coated parts provide premium finish and protection. • Steel arms, gussets and brackets are engineered to withstand the demands of the industry. • Low-profile arms avoid damage from wide containers and compactors. • Quick-release tarp tube and standard tarp spline make tarp replacement a quick and easy 1-person job.
HY-Tower™ Armless Roll-Off Tarp Systems • Single leg gantry lifts to height of 15’ above the truck frame so the tarp can be pulled over heaped loads. • Contain loads quickly and easily from the safety of the ground. • The gantry tucks compactly behind the cab during transport and is secured using specially designed supports. • Heavy Duty spring loaded roll-tube assembly.
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• Includes a 12V self contained electric/hydraulic power unit.
October 2019 www.recyclingproductnews.com
27
COVER STORY
Recycling e-waste is a key element of Metal Tech Alley’s circular economy. success for us. The inherent skill and experience in the local area that has developed because of the industrial history here in Trail is a huge asset.”
FENIX ADVANCED MATERIALS
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28 Recycling Product News October 2019
Fenix Advanced Materials is another Metal Tech Alley company that takes advantage of its proximity to Teck. The business takes Teck by-products, such as low purity (99.99 percent pure) indium and cadmium, refines them until they are ultra-pure (99.99999 percent pure), and then ships many metric tons per year of these ultra-pure metals worldwide. These metals are then used as raw materials in modern semiconductor technologies, which include x-ray, infrared and gamma ray detectors, solar photovoltaics, and for temperature calibration applications. Fenix uses a combination of proprietary hydrometallurgy, pyrometallurgy and electrochemical processes to purify metals to the ultra-high levels required by industrial end users. Fenix’s foresight and innovation has embodied circular economy strategies, by creating an entirely new market for Teck’s by-products and otherwise unused materials. The company is also helping create further investment as well as additional interest in what is happening in Metal Tech Alley by partnering with UBCO (University of BC Okanagan) on lithium tellurium (LiTe) solid-state battery research over the next three years. “Being in Metal Tech Alley has been an asset to our business from day one,” says Don Freschi, CEO of Fenix. “Locating in this area has led to connections and business support opportuni-
ties that simply are very tough to access elsewhere. Fenix just secured over $1.5M in funding from these business connections, which includes NRCIRAP, Community Futures of Greater Trail, and Columbia Basin Trusts Impact Investment Fund, to expand and commercialize our product lines.”
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
According to Terry Van Horn, there is continued and growing interest in what Trail, B.C., and Metal Tech Alley have to offer, much of it from business owners and people working in larger cities. “We receive enquiries on a daily basis from people who work or want to work in our circular economy, often from Vancouver and Calgary, and who are looking to bring their expertise to a location that allows them to experience the Kootenay lifestyle, and have the work-life balance that the region offers. “Thanks to the existing businesses that we have managed to secure, and the new opportunities here, Metal Tech Alley is a great choice for people who are ambitious at work but yearn for a different life experience. It’s always a surprise to people from outside of our region when they see what we are doing here and the global scale we reach. “For businesses and individuals looking to cash in on the circular economy and get out of the city, Metal Tech Alley offers a real opportunity to find their place and continue to work with like-minded individuals.” “Recycling is a hugely important piece of our puzzle and we are actively working with organizations such as the National Industrial Symbiosis Program (NISP) to identify opportunities
In June 2020, Metal Tech Alley will host a circular economy event, including tours and educational sessions, in Trail, B.C. For information, contact tvanhorn@metaltechalley.com.
for businesses to further improve processes, expand markets and attract investment. This is just the beginning. We have attracted nine new Metal Tech Alley companies, created 19 new jobs and increased revenues of over $5M in the last year, and are expecting more. It is really exciting!” RPN
Terry Van Horn, leading the Metal Tech Alley initiative, building a high-tech, industrial circular economy in B.C.’s Kootenay region.
Model 4 The new model 4 E-Z log Baler is just what mid size scrap yards have been asking for! Priced right for any yard — small, mid size, or large! Like the Model 3, the NEW Model 4 has no set up time and a very low cost to operate. The one man operations are all handled from the newly designed cab. With the 400º rotation crane and a reach of 27’ adding the continuous rotation grapple, it makes loading the larger chamber a breeze. Taking your loose scrap to a highly sought after shreddable log.
— Cycles in under 2 minutes! — Produces up to 70 tons per day. — Fully portable in the closed position. — New seat design for more operator comfort.
October 2019 www.recyclingproductnews.com
29
METALS RECYCLING
increasing recovery of ferrous from bottom ash
ERIEZ’ P-REX RARE EARTH SCRAP DRUMS ARE PROVIDING 50 PERCENT GREATER RECOVERY OF VALUABLE METAL FOR COVANTA WASTE-TO-ENERGY OPERATIONS
E
ngineers at Covanta, one of the world’s largest owners and operators of facilities dedicated to recovering energy from waste, have reported an immediate 50 percent improvement in recovery of ferrous materials from bottom ash after upgrading a conventional scrap drum to an Eriez P-Rex (Permanent Rare Earth Xtreme) Scrap Drum at one of the company’s U.S. facilities. Introduced in 2010 and originally marketed primarily for scrap metal recycling, P-Rex Scrap Drums are now successfully operating across North America in a wide variety of recycling and waste diversion sectors. According to Eriez, Covanta’s management has upgraded a total of six older scrap drums at multiple locations to P-Rex Scrap Drums, based on
30 Recycling Product News October 2019
the exceptional results of two initial installations. Eriez Metals Recycling Market Manager Mike Shattuck says that the innovative design of the P-Rex Scrap Drum gives it a variety of advantages over traditional scrap drums, leading to greater recovery results, for Covanta and many other customers. He explains, “P-Rex’s magnetic force remains consistently strong across the width of the drum. With standard magnets, the force in the middle is greater which can lead to ferrous materials located at the sides of the conveyor not getting picked up.” In addition to P-Rex’s greater recovery of ferrous, Covanta says they have also been impressed with how this advanced drum helps them maintain productivity and avoid expensive equipment damage.
The P-Rex Scrap Drum (above) is proving its value in the field, beyond scrap recycling operations, by boosting ferrous recovery rates for waste-to-energy and slag recycling facilities. (Covanta waste-to-energy facility installation with drum painted blue, shown top.) “P-Rex’s magnetic strength enables installation with a greater gap between the conveyor and the drum, where it’s better able to deal with the widely varying sizes of metal objects remaining in Covanta’s bottom ash,” Shattuck explains. “The closer gaps required by standard drum magnets can cause large objects to potentially become wedged between the belt and the magnet, triggering equipment jams and damage.” RPN
ONLY LINDNER CLIENTS CAN TRULY SAY:
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Thanks to its extremely powerful engine, long shaft length and aggressive intake, the twin-shaft Urraco 95 DK shredder makes short work of every material. Extremely efficient and reliable with low wear and tear, this machine is maintenance-friendly and has a low rate of energy consumption per tonne of shredded material. Learn more: www.l-rt.com
PLASTICS RECYCLING
NEW REPORT POINTS TO GROWTH IN CANADIAN CAPACITY TO RECYCLE PLASTICS CANADIAN PLASTICS INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION STUDY ENCOURAGES STRONG DOMESTIC MARKETS
I
n August the Canadian Plastics Industry Association (CPIA) released a report that the organization says illustrates the resilience of Canada’s recycling infrastructure in weathering the significant market challenges that have affected the industry over the past two years. According to the report, 2017 Post-Consumer Plastics Recycling in Canada, most of the recyclable material collected here remained in North America for reprocessing into new products rather than being shipped to overseas markets. Eighty-eight percent of the material reported was reclaimed in Canada or the U.S., and 10 percent was exported overseas. The destination of the remaining two percent is unknown. Every year, CPIA commissions the independent report compiled by California-based recycling consultant More Recycling (MORE) based on data supplied by recycling businesses in both the U.S. and Canada. The report reflects 2017 data. The organization emphasizes that 2017 was a pivotal year for recyclers of post-consumer packaging and products around the globe. Even as recycled plastic resins were challenged in the
“
By developing and maintaining strong domestic markets for recycled commodities we can continue to offer Canadians viable programs to recycle plastics.” Carol Hochu, CPIA 32 Recycling Product News October 2019
marketplace by low-cost virgin resin, the Chinese government enacted ‘National Sword’ policies which blocked recovered plastics and many other recyclables from entering the country. Ultimately, other Asian markets followed suit and stopped accepting recycled commodities from North America and Europe. The result over the past two years has been a significant tightening in the market as recyclers around the globe seek buyers for recovered materials. Despite this, Canadians continue to recycle and recycling programs continue to send recovered materials to end markets, the majority of which are in North America. They convert the plastics to new packaging and consumer and industrial goods.
CONTINUING STRENGTH IN OVERALL RECOVERY
“This study again proves that by developing and maintaining strong domestic markets for recycled commodities we can continue to offer Canadians viable programs to recycle plastics,” commented Carol Hochu, president and CEO of CPIA. “This is important because Canadians have demonstrated they are fully committed to and want to continue to recycle.” According to the report, plastic bottles are the coast-to-coast leaders in recycling, with 63 percent being collected at curbside or returned to depot for recycling. Following their first and potential reuse, PET bottles continue to be reprocessed to generate plastic fibres (for textiles) and to be converted into new bottles. HDPE bottles are most often converted into new bottles, as well as lumber and decking and lawn and garden products. “Despite the challenges over the past two years, the mainstay programs for
HDPE and PET jugs are very close to what we saw in the previous year, before China’s National Sword policies came into effect,” says Hochu. “It’s a testament to the strength of the North American reprocessing industry that recycling of materials from Canada stayed strong at 88 percent during this difficult period. Not only that, but Canadian recyclers were managing more materials generated in the U.S. as well.” Contrary to the positive outlook for traditional plastic bottle packaging, the tightening international markets have impacted plastics recycling rates across the board. This is reflected in a 5 percent overall decline in recovery rates through 2017. Plastic film recycling was most profoundly affected by export restrictions and a need for new domestic markets, particularly those able to process post-consumer materials from curbside programs. While many materials were also subject to reductions, most were just slightly off versus prior year values. “CPIA’s team is working diligently with municipalities, industry and regulators to seek new ways to recover and derive continuing value from all types of plastic packaging, including recycled content in new products and packaging,” commented Joe Hruska, CPIA’s VP Sustainability and a featured speaker at the Canadian Waste to Resource Conference held in Toronto, October 8–10. “When new and evolving packaging formats come along, like the new and emerging film and laminated plastics, there’s often a lag in technology to manage this more complex material. But I’m excited to see the huge growth in recovery technology now, with new systems available to recycle curbside film, polystyrene and much more. With that, we’re confident that the declines of 2017 will be offset over the years to come.”
PLASTICS RECYCLING
AG-PLASTICS EPR IN THE BAG BY MANAGING AG-PLASTIC WASTE CLEANFARMS IS HELPING CANADIAN FARMERS KEEP THEIR OPERATIONS CLEAN
C BY BARBARA MCCONNELL
leanfarms is unique on the Canadian recycling landscape. It is the only large-scale operation that is recovering plastic waste for recycling in the agricultural sector. As an industry stewardship organization, it operates in a similar fashion as those for electronics, paint and printed paper and packaging. Industry members, which are producers of products for the agricultural sector, finance the cost of recovery of their empty containers and other farm-based products for recycling and secure disposal at end of life.
A LONG ROAD TRAVELLED
The small container collection program for Canada’s agriculture industry is 30 years old in 2019. It was originally started by Crop Life, an organization that launched it as a voluntary stewardship program to help the pesticide/fertilizer industry take responsibility for its containers at their end of life. Crop life turned operation of the program over to Cleanfarms in 2010. In the last few years, Cleanfarms has expanded its programs beyond various types of agriculture industry packaging to recover, among other things, empty
34 Recycling Product News October 2019
grain bags. In Manitoba, silage wrap (the plastic tubes and plastic wrap used around hay bales that dot the agricultural landscape) is also being collected and recycled. In some prairie locations, plastic grain bags can be seen lined up by the dozens, providing farmers with temporary storage for harvested cereal grains. Plastic grain bags also represent hundreds of miles of plastic, all of it viable material for recycling into new products. “That’s what we see when we drive the rural roads of the prairie provinces where grain bags and silage wrap are most prevalent – potential. We see the tremendous opportunity to recover that plastic and recycle it into new products,” says Cleanfarms general manager Barry Friesen. “Even though Cleanfarms has been on the Canadian recycling scene for 10 years, and we have highly successful recovery programs in full operation, it’s time to start developing programs to capture secondary resource material like grain bags.” Friesen says when it comes to doing the right thing, Canadian farmers are like all other Canadians; they want recycling programs and secure disposal programs
that responsibly manage the waste they generate. In the farm community, without recovery programs, the only options for disposal are burning, burying or disposal in landfill. However, many rural landfills no longer accept these materials. So, for Cleanfarms the mission is clear, Friesen says. It’s to design and implement stewardship programs that recover farm-based ag-plastics, manage ag-waste in an environmentally proper way at its end-of-life, and give farmers the best possible access to collection options so they can operate sustainable food production businesses. Cleanfarms’ flagship small container recycling actually got its start 30 years ago, when the crop protection industry in Canada took the initial steps to create a voluntary stewardship program in Alberta communities to collect empty agricultural plastic jugs for recycling. The idea took root. Now offered across Canada, it has brought in a total of approximately 126 million plastic jugs since the program started, all of which are recycled into new products instead of being disposed of in landfill. “We’re excited that we’ve been able to increase the recovery of empty containers, thanks to Canadian farmers and more than 1,000 ag-retail and municipal
October 2019 www.recyclingproductnews.com
35
PLASTICS RECYCLING
Collecting empty ag-plastics jugs destined for recycling.
collection sites across the country. In 2018, we recovered nearly 5.8 million containers alone, a 14 percent increase by volume over 2017,” Friesen says. This nearly six million containers equates to about 66 percent of the smaller plastic containers that are placed on the market each year. “Our success in 2018 set us up to go after 100 percent recovery to celebrate the 30th anniversary for plastic container recycling in 2019,” Friesen continues. “We’re asking farmers who use these products to follow best practices and recycle every one of the empty containers when they’re finished with them. It’s a big ask but we know Canadian farmers are keen stewards of their land and are committed to environmental responsibility when it comes to how this packaging is managed.” As the small container program grew from province to province, it cleared the path for the other Cleanfarms programs. Today, the roster of recyclable ag-plastics includes: • Empty, small pesticide and fertilizer
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jugs/containers (23L and under) for recycling. • Empty, large, non-deposit, bulk pesticide and fertilizer containers (23L and over) for recycling. • Unwanted and obsolete pesticides and animal health products for secure disposal. (This program is operated in cooperation with the Canadian Animal Health Institute.) • Seed and pesticide bags for proper disposal. (Currently operating in eastern Canada only, with pilot programs in the prairies.) • Grain bags for recycling in Saskatchewan. • Grain bags and twine recycling pilot program in Alberta. • Grain bags, silage/bale wrap and twine recycling pilots in Manitoba.
GRAIN BAG GAINS
Grain bag collection in Saskatchewan, in particular, is shaping up to be a significant success story. Halfway through 2019, and with one of the busiest periods of grain bag recycling ahead, in the Fall, Saskatchewan farmers have already recycled 25 percent more plastic grain bags in 2019 than they did in all of 2018. Overall, they’ve turned in almost 1,580 tonnes of grain bags for recycling, compared to 1,265 tonnes in 2018. “We have Saskatchewan farmers to thank for that,” Friesen says. “We are very grateful they are getting on board so enthusiastically.” The recycling program for grain bags in Saskatchewan was established in July 2016 under The Agricultural Packaging
Managing unwanted agriculture industry chemicals.
Product Waste Stewardship Regulation, the first regulation of its kind in Canada. Cleanfarms operates the extended producer responsibility (EPR) grain bag collection and recycling program on behalf of the obligated agricultural industry. In Alberta, grain bags are also the primary target for a new recycling pilot there. Under a contract with the Alberta Plastic Recycling Group, Cleanfarms is setting up 20 locations around the province that will collect grain bags, as well as twine, for recycling.
One of Cleanfarms’ grain bag collection sites.
A TOUGH JOB WORTH DOING
While the shuttering of overseas markets for mixed plastics from Canadian residential recycling programs have challenged printed paper and packaging recycling operations, Cleanfarms has been able to keep collecting and moving ag-plastic materials recovered for recycling. Plastic containers are baled and shipped to end-markets in the U.S., while grain bags go to end-markets both in the prairies and south of the border. “Just as curbside recyclers stress the need to avoid contaminating recyclable materials with packaging and products that are not accepted in their program, Cleanfarms also underscores the need for plastic containers to be empty and grain bags and silage wrap free of dirt, excessive rain water and old grain,” Friesen says. “That’s what keeps our endmarkets happy.” Plastic from containers is recycled into farm drainage tiles while plastic from grain bags goes to make new plastic bags. For unrecyclabes, including unwanted and obsolete pesticides and animal health products, these are disposed of through high temperature incineration at a facility in Swan Lake, Alberta, while seed and pesticide bags are disposed of at waste-to-energy facilities. “At Cleanfarms, we use the engine of our successful operations to move us along the track toward our goal of continuous improvement,” says Friesen. “That includes forging partnerships with the ag industry, ag-retailers and farmers to expand existing and develop new programs that enable farmers to do their job of producing food more effectively, while keeping their operations and communities clean and sustainable. “We believe it’s a job worth doing and we’re committed to it.”
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37 10:12 AM
PLASTICS RECYCLING
UNDERSTANDING FLEXIBLE PACKAGING FOR RECYCLING
F
BY DAVE FARIS YOUSIF
lexible packaging has seen tremendous growth globally, with an annual growth rate of 3.8 percent within North America alone. It can be found in a vast array of shapes and sizes containing a wide range of products such as coffee, laundry detergent, baby food, cat litter, single-serve juices, motor oil, toothpaste and more. Packages can be made with a single layer, a mono-material laminate (i.e. multiple layers from the same polymer) or the more complicated, multi-material laminate (made from multiple layers from different polymers). Flexible packaging can also include papers and metals as key components, closures using zips, spouts or reseal adhesives, and various additives. While these packaging designs and formulations offer specialized benefits, recovery rates are low or non-existent. With the current global focus on the sustainability of plastics, end-of-life management of flexible packaging has become a priority. Landfill/disposal is the default end-of-life option, with some life cycle assessment studies even suggesting that flexible packaging, if disposed
Examples of flexible packaging formats. (Source: PAC ) 38 Recycling Product News October 2019
properly, is still a better environmental packaging choice compared to other more recyclable materials. Other options include thermal (e.g., energy-from-waste) and chemical treatment. Alternatively, reduction based approaches aim to lower (e.g., light weighting) or eliminate material needs, and reuse approaches replace flexible packaging with more durable solutions. If disposal is not the preferred option, more economically viable and sustainable designs, along with an understanding of the basic polymer properties and construction processes of a flexible package, are required in order to identify the best end-of-life value solution.
BREAKING DOWN THE FLEXIBLE PACKAGE
Important mechanical properties of a flexible package include the following: • Mechanical (e.g. tensile strength or tear resistance) • Barrier (e.g. oxygen or water) • Sealability (e.g. heat-sealing) • Aesthetic (e.g. printing) The ubiquitous potato chip bag offers a good example of what’s involved in a particular flexible packaging format. Manufactured with extrusion lamination, it typically uses polypropylene as a moisture and odour barrier, low-density polyethylene (LDPE) for strength and grease resistance, and a thermoplastic resin for puncture resistance and heat-sealing. Figure 1 (opposite page) gives a hint of the diverse laminate combinations found in the marketplace. Layers tend to offer functional benefits. For example, metallized polyester films are an excellent barrier to moisture and oxygen. Other layers are employed purely to improve aesthetics, such as an extra layer to allow reverse printing, or metallic foil as a base for the eyecatching foil stamping seen on products like chocolate and coffee. Additionally, a myriad of additives offer specialized performance factors (e.g. anti-static, anti-slip, anti-fogging, UV barriers and optical brighteners.) However, some additives like optical brighteners cannot be removed in the recycling process and can create an unacceptable fluo-
CREATING A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING
Figure 1 – Example Laminations. (Source: PAC ) rescence for next uses of the recycled polymer. As noted by the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR), it is difficult to identify materials with negative effects like this until late in the recycling process, by which time significant cost
has been added into a material of low value due to the additive. Furthermore, a recent report notes that certain additives also affect plastic density, leading to losses with certain sortation processes, such as sink-float systems.
The growing sophistication of multiple polymers, additives and closures offers many benefits, but presents a significant challenge for recyclers to find economically viable ways to collect, sort, recycle and market their materials. The following is a sample of research and innovative initiatives that, in various ways, contribute to a deeper understanding of viable recycling of flexible packaging: • The U.K.’s REFLEX project studied the material composition of the post-consumer flexible packaging waste stream, and found 80 percent to be polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP). REFLEX tested PE and PP – laminated with PET, EVOH and aluminum foil – to evaluate which materials are best used in flexible packaging from a recyclability viewpoint. They found PE/PP laminates produced well-mixed recyclates, with properties suitable for certain injection molding applications. They noted the potential for PE/PP to be reprocessed together, which “would simplify the
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39
recycling process for flexible packaging considerably, leading to greater yields and allow brand owners and packaging designers to use PE/PP laminates that are suitable for mechanical recycling.” • In Canada, Recycle BC launched a 2018 research pilot to collect certain types of flexible packaging and figure out how best to recycle them. Consistent with other studies (e.g., CIF Project #749), the preferred method of collection for this material type was determined to be through waste depots and returnto-retail. • The flexible packaging challenge has also led to chemical recycling innovation, where a polymer is chemically reduced to its original or other monomic forms for processing into new materials. Citing Green Mantra Technologies, Ontario’s 2019 Special Advisor’s Recycling and Plastic Waste Report signalled a potential openness by Ontario’s Provincial government to broaden its definition of recycling. • The challenges with multi-material properties have also created the impetus for mono-material innovation. In Ontario, Tempo Plastics is one of several businesses exploring mono-material solutions. Tempo uses DOW’s Recycle Ready Technology in their Harmony Pack, which uses only HDPE, achieving similar performance to multi-material flexible package. For Ontario municipalities looking to improve their waste diversion rates, the amount of flexible packaging found in the waste streams serves as an opportunity to gain an additional 1 to 2 percent of diversion. Starting this fall, the City of London will undertake a two-year pilot project (CIF #1088) that seeks to improve the diversion of flexible packaging and other difficult-to-recycle plastics using the Hefty EnergyBag program promoted by Dow Chemical Company. Residents will be asked to place targeted materials into the program’s trademarked orange bags. Full bags are then to be co-collected with residents’ blue box materials for separation at the MRF and delivery to an end market. Learnings from the project are expected to include a better understanding of potential end markets along with the cost and operational implications of collecting and processing the targeted materials. Flexible packaging projections show significant annual growth for the foreseeable future. This growth brings with it an evolving, complex array of formulations blending polymers, additives and closures. The challenge facing recycling stakeholders is considerable. However, as the above examples highlight, many emerging initiatives are helping to identify sustainable processes to manage this growing stream of packaging. Dave Faris Yousif is project manager at the Continuous Improvement Fund (CIF), an Ontariobased organization with the mandate to improve the effectiveness of Ontario’s municipal blue box programs.
40 Recycling Product News October 2019
BALCONES PARTNERS WITH CP GROUP ON EXTENSIVE SINGLE-STREAM RETROFIT NEW EQUIPMENT IMPROVES FIBRE PURITY, RECOVERY AND THROUGHPUT, DECREASES MAINTENANCE
B
alcones Resources, based out of Austin, Texas, has partnered with CP Group of San Diego, California, to upgrade their single-stream residential and commercial material recovery facility. The 100,000-square-foot facility was originally installed in 2012. Changing market conditions, rising labour costs and new technology were the main motivators for Balcones to undertake a large retrofit. “Balcones is committed to creating and operating recycling programs that produce positive environmental and financial impacts. These programs must endure the test of time and market changes,” said Kerry Getter, Balcones CEO.
In 2018, Balcones committed to working with CP Group on a system retrofit. The retrofit gave Balcones a competitive edge, increased throughput, decreased operating costs, and improved fibre recovery and purity. The collaborative effort between Balcones and CP enabled the companies to analyze and test several scenarios and determine the correct design arrangement and use of optical sorters. “After a lengthy project analysis, we decided to work with CP Group because their success in the marketplace, advanced technology and experienced team gave us confidence in our investment. MSS demonstrated our material and proved the results we needed to achieve to make the
MRF OPERATIONS the use of an integrated SCADA package, Balcones can track live production on their balers, including daily material totals, as well as inbound and outbound material volumes on each line. “Balcones really pushed us to offer the very best in technology that would serve them for many years to come,” commented Branden Sidwell, CP sales engineer.
“Working with the Balcones team has been a real pleasure. As operators and marketers of their material, they really know their numbers. When it comes to MRF design you have to know your numbers in order to create the right solution. Balcones made it easy for us. We’re looking forward to continued work with them.”
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investment. We are already seeing those results at our facility,” said Getter. According to CP, at the heart of Balcones upgrade are three MSS CIRRUS FiberMax optical sorters. (MSS is the optical sorting division of CP Group.) MSS FiberMax optical sorters run at 1,000 feet per minute on 112-inch-wide belts using nearinfrared technology to clean the fibre streams with both positive and negative sorting. The focus of the new FiberMax system for Balcones has been the removal of fugitive plastics and other non-conforming items from the paper stream. This creates cleaner material which in turn makes a more valuable product. The Balcones retrofit also includes a new 4-deck CP Glass Breaker screen to remove glass and fines, a 140-inchwide CP AntiWrap Screen, CP’s newest fibre screen which separates large fibre from other materials, and a 140-inch-wide CPScreen to separate small mixed paper. The new glass breaker was implemented to increase the recovery of glass and eliminate disc wear. The fibre screens were upgraded in order to increase material recovery while greatly reducing the labour required to clean the screens due to anti-wrapping capabilities. The equipment upgrade also came with new software to enable Balcones to better understand their production through quantified data. Through
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MRF OPERATIONS
EOWF and partners working to save the glass
C
alifornia-based End of Waste Foundation (EOWF) is working with multiple partners in the U.S. on a mission to save the glass. According to EOWF, glass often represents a net loss for many material recovery facilities (MRFs) in North America. In the U.S. the value of clean recyclable glass is only about $35 per ton, currently, while it costs about the same to haul, sort and clean the material for processing. The overall goal for EOWF is to help increase average glass recycling rates in the U.S. from about 33 percent currently, to 85 percent by 2030. EOWF provides Blockchain Waste Traceability Software (BWTS), which traces glass waste quantities from the recycle bin to its new life – through the hauler, to the MRF, to the glass processor, and to the manufacturer. This creates what the company calls a pathway toward efficiency and transparency. In
“
We believe in the power of communities and that consumer behaviour will help shift the paradigm in recycling.” Ionut Georgescu, EOWF founder 42 Recycling Product News October 2019
order to offset costs and incentivize glass recycling, EOWF promotes a “Distributed Shared Responsibility” (DSP) model that puts product manufacturers, distributors, retailers and citizens on the same level. After a consumer throws their bottle into a recycling bin, the BTWS model begins its cycle. Using EOWF’s platform, the MRF inputs quantities of sorted glass to be delivered to the processor. The glass processor then validates quantities and reports glass cullet shipped to the manufacturer. The manufacturer then validates quantities and reports recycled glass quantities to EOWF. Next, a Glass Certificate encapsulating all the data is created, and EOWF makes the verified quantities available in the marketplace. Additionally, sustainable businesses and citizens can enroll in the EOWF program to acquire certificates and gain carbon offsets. Through this program, up to $35 per ton will get shared among each entity involved – MRFs, processors and manufacturers, and a minimum of $20 will be dedicated to investments and R&D. The remainder stays with EOWF for scaling, development and maintenance. Ripple Glass, one of EOWF’s partners, recycles glass from Kansas City and over 100 communities throughout the Midwest. “We have increased the glass recycling rate in Kansas City from 3- to 20 percent, but in recent years, that recycling rate has stagnated,” explains Michelle Goth, GM of Ripple Glass. “To increase glass recycling, the costs of recycling will need to be shared between produc-
ers, consumers and processors. End of Waste Foundation will enable cost sharing between those that produce glass and the facilities that recycle it.” Another EOWF partnership, established this past spring, involves Momentum Recycling, a glass recycler operating in Utah and Colorado. Within two months, using the EOW platform, they tracked and recycled 1,348 tons of glass. Momentum currently recycles glass from communities all around Colorado and has increased the glass recycling rate there from just 6 percent to 23 percent. “We look forward to working with the End of Waste Foundation and appreciate the innovation they are bringing to the system,” said John Lair, President and CEO of Momentum Recycling. “We are great supporters of their vision of a new Distributed Shared Responsibility where contributions provide funds to cover negative costs and increase our recycling rates with investments in new technology. “By participating in the End of Waste Foundation Program, Momentum is helping to instill confidence in the entire glass recycling process, from bin to bottle,” continued Lair. “Those who generate waste glass, from individual citizens to large corporations can have definitive proof that waste glass is being recycled back into bottles in a truly closed loop system. “What’s more, the End of Waste Foundation program helps reduce the cost of recycling glass, allowing more to be recycled. “Our goal is to increase glass recycling rates in Utah and Colorado, States without container deposit laws, to at least 50 percent and End of Waste Foundation program will be a big boost to those efforts.” According to Ionut Georgescu, EOWF’s founder, in 1960 the glass recycling rate in the U.S. hovered at six percent, and in 2019 the national average is 33 percent. “If we continue at this trajectory, it would take us more than 100 years to achieve our goal of an 85 percent national recycling rate,” said Georgescu. “We believe our independent and self-regulated system helps fulfill the goals and needs of all stakeholders involved, including consumers.”
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MRF OPERATIONS
ONE BIN, ALL IN NEW FACILITY IN MAINE BUILT TO ACCOMMODATE SHIFT TO COMMINGLED TRASH AND RECYCLABLES COLLECTION
A
t the start of September the City of Bangor, Maine, formally moved to a new “one bin all in” approach in which residents will throw all of their recycling in with their trash at the curb, to be picked up weekly as mixed waste. As part of the shift, Bangor is closing their local, established recycling facility and will now send materials to a newly built, integrated mixed waste conversion plant in Hampden, Maine. The new facility, developed by Coastal Resources of Maine and Fiberight technology, along with SCS Engineers, includes a MRF (with system and equipment supplied by CP Group) as well as organics and plastics processing, anaerobic digestion and wastewater treatment. Besides plastics and organics, the new facility includes capability to handle paper, metals, cardboard,
44 Recycling Product News October 2019
glass and textiles, with integrated technology intended to increase recycling rates without the need for extensive outreach programs. According to Coastal Resources of Maine, advanced technologies at the new facility are expected to provide cleaner end product and diverse material output. The facility’s MRF is expected to provide a high degree of separation, recovery and monetization of commodity products, and it employs additional processes for generating clean cellulose, engineered fuels and biogas from traditionally non-recyclable materials. Hired for the firm’s technical expertise and experience planning large municipal solid waste and biogas programs and facilities, SCS Engineers played a key role in the design of the new facility, providing an in-depth examination and analysis of the technologies, program
sustainability and potential economic impacts. SCS says the new Bangor facility will serve 116 municipalities and public entities represented by the Municipal Review Committee, a non-profit organization that currently manages the waste disposal activities in Eastern and Northern Maine. “With the planning and cooperation of many, Fiberight is providing a truly sustainable solution in Maine while solving several challenges when consumers separate their recyclable materials, and eliminating contamination,” stated Bob Gardner, SCS Engineers Senior VP. “The facility is capable of reusing nearly 150,000 tons of what formerly went into a landfill, is processing more municipal solid waste into high-value commodities, and is helping local municipalities and private waste haulers offset the cost of recycling.”
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GRC Launches MRF Glass Certification NEW PROGRAM TO HIGHLIGHT CRITICAL ROLE MRFS PLAY IN SUCCESSFUL GLASS RECYCLING
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ccording to a 2018 industry survey, more than 27 percent of material recovery facilities (MRFs) in North America have glass cleanup equipment. Working toward the goal of increasing this number, The Glass Recycling Coalition (GRC), a collaborative organization based in the U.S., is launching MRF Glass Certification to recognize facilities with effective glass recovery programs. “The long-term goal is to encourage and produce quality glass products that are viable in the glass container market or other beneficial reuse applications and not in a landfill,” said Tom Outerbridge, Sims Municipal Recycling, New York. According to the GRC, the free certification program recognizes MRFs using equipment and operational procedures to clean up glass in both single- and dual-stream systems, and those which are producing highly marketable, higherquality glass. GRC’s website includes best practices tips for glass recycling, and currently hosts an interactive map showing MRFs, glass processors and end-markets in the U.S. The organization says that once they are GRC-certified, MRFs are noted on the map and can gain public recognition of the certification through traditional and social media. The glass certification criteria are judged on current infrastructure and a glass purity measure. An independent committee scores certification levels into gold, silver and bronze certifications. MRFs holding this certification will have a competitive advantage in the marketplace, according to the GRC. Overall, the organization believes this certification will highlight the critical importance of the MRFs role in successful glass recycling in North America. Canada-based members of The Glass Recycling Coalition include Machinex, Vitreous Glass and 2M Resources.
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HAULING & COLLECTION
Virginia first in U.S. to pilot recycling bins made from unsorted waste
A
t the end of August, the Central Virginia Waste Management Authority (CVWMA) launched a partnership with UBQ Materials, an Israel-based company which has developed a patented process to convert unsorted household waste into a plastic substitute that can be made into everyday goods. CVWMA provides waste management and recycling services for thirteen local governments, including Richmond, Chesterfield and Herico, and is the first organization in the U.S. to leverage this solution for solid waste collection bins. As part of the pilot program, CVWMA is offering 2,000 recycling bins made with UBQ Material, a proprietary composite of unsorted organic, paper and plastic waste, including everything from banana peels to dirty diapers to used yogurt containers and cardboard. The bins recently arrived in Central Virginia after being shipped from Israel. According to impact assessments done by Quantis, a Switzerland based environmental consulting firm, every ton of UBQ Material produced diverts up to 12 tons of CO2 equivalent. The company also qualified UBQ as the most climate positive thermoplastic material on the planet. “Virginia has long been proud to welcome some of the most innovative companies. . .” said State Senator
Tato Bigio is CEO and co-founder of UBQ Materials, which uses unsorted household waste to create bio-based thermoplastic that can be used to manufacture a range of products, including recycling bins (shown below). Tommy Norment. “UBQ is a worldchanging technology that has the potential to change the face of so many industries. I’m proud to see Virginia at the forefront of this solution and cannot wait to see what comes next.” “At CVWMA, we work every day to provide the best waste management and recycling programs for our 1.5 million customers in central Virginia,” said Kim Hynes, executive director of the CVWMA. “Our partnership with UBQ is an extension of our efforts – finding a productive way to deal with waste and improve the community around us.”
UBQ MATERIALS
Founded in 2012, by Rabbi Yehuda Pearl (also founder of the popular hummus brand, Sabra) and renewable energy leader, Tato Bigio, UBQ Materials takes unsorted household waste – consisting of roughly 80 percent organic material and 20 percent plastic – and converts it into a bio-based thermoplastic that can be integrated into existing manufacturing processes. The company breaks down this waste
46 Recycling Product News October 2019
to a nearly molecular level, combining its most basic organic components (lignin, cellulose, sugar and fibres) together with plastic. The end result, called UBQ Material, is a bio-based, climate positive composite material. UBQ has been granted worldwide patents for its material and process. “We continue to be grateful to Kim Hynes of the CVWMA and to the Virginia Israel Advisory Board, which helped us to make our first commercial sale of waste bins in the United States. I am sure that this partnership will lead to great opportunities for UBQ and our partners, just as I am sure that it will help create a better future and a cleaner world.” “As a company, we dream of a world in which waste is never truly wasted, and are so pleased that Virginians and the CVWMA share our vision,” said Tato Bigio, CEO and co-founder of UBQ. “We’re hopeful that within a few years, every Virginian will be able to dispose of their recycling in a UBQ bin and many more products will be made out of this remarkable material.”
DIYSigns online tool to help clarify collection messaging
T
he Recycling Partnership recently announced the public beta launch of DIYSigns, the debut of a free online resource that anyone can use to help educate the public on what to throw into their bins for efficient collection and recycling. According to the organization, whether at home, at the office, at school, at a sports stadium, or anywhere, education is needed to show what is recyclable and where. “We know that consumer confusion is one of the top reasons why trash still ends up in recycling bins and carts,” said Keefe Harrison, CEO of The Recycling Partnership, during an announcement at a recent industry conference. “Our community partners have asked for our help in creating free and customizable posters, labels and signs and we were happy to deliver. Anything we can do to help public and private sector recycling succeed is a boost for the industry.
“This tool, available to anyone who needs it, connects to our tested and proven campaign materials and will enable recycling programs to more easily deliver top-rate communications with their public.” DIYSigns is an online tool with editable templates available in a variety of sizes, for creating everything from bumper stickers to posters. The tool is available simply by going to The Recycling Partnership’s website and signing up with contact information. No special software is needed to edit the signs, and through the online tool all sizes of signs, labels and posters can be customized for any company, any jurisdiction and any type of recyclables. “Engaging consumers on what can and cannot be recycled is key to limiting trash or other non-recyclables from making their way into recycling containers,” said Cody Marshall, chief community strategy officer at The Recycling Partnership. Residents need to
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47
HAULING & COLLECTION be informed with clear, concise and consistent education in order for recycling systems to be successful. “Our DIYSigns tool complements our other free resources and technical assistance to better inform residents on what they can recycle.” The Recycling Partnership offers technical, operational and educational assistance to communities in the form of free resources and grants to drive change in recycling and collection programs. One example of other no-cost resources available is a Contamination Kit, consisting of all the documents communities need to stimulate conversation with respect to lessening the amount of contaminated materials haulers pick up at the curb. Also available, the Campaign Builder resource helps users easily customize and design a recycling education campaign.
Correction notice: In the September 2019 edition of Recycling Product News, it was erroneously printed that Gensco is celebrating 60 years in business in 2019. Gensco Equipment is in fact celebrating 100 years in business in 2019.
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MACK shows off range at Waste & Recycling Expo Canada 2019
A
t the Waste & Recycling Expo Canada 2019, held in Toronto, October 9–10, Mack Trucks showed its Mack TerraPro and Granite models at their booth, along with a display featuring the new LR battery electric vehicle (BEV) motor and transmission. The Mack LR BEV is driven by a Mack-integrated electric powertrain with two 130-kW motors sending power through a two-speed Mack Powershift transmission. Mack is currently partnering with the New York City Department of Sanitation and Republic Services to demonstrate two LR BEV trucks. Both are scheduled to begin operation in 2020. The Mack trucks on display at this year’s show included a Mack TerraPro equipped with a front loader refuse body and a Mack Granite equipped with a rolloff body. With its compact, efficient cab and a number of chassis configurations, the Mack TerraPro model is designed to be a versatile truck capable of meeting a variety of refuse and recycling applications. The Mack Granite, according to Mack, is a jobsite standard, featuring an ergonomic, driver-focused cab and dash design to provide operators all-day comfort on the job. Both trucks on display in Toronto were also equipped with Mack GuardDog Connect, which proactively monitors truck performance, enabling real-time diagnosis of issues that could lead to unplanned downtime. Working with the Mack ASIST online service management system and Mack OneCall uptime agents at a 24/7 facility in Greensboro, North Carolina, GuardDog Connect maximizes uptime by scheduling repairs and confirming parts and service bay availability, all while the truck is still on the road. GuardDog Connect is also the enabling technology for Mack Over The Air, which delivers software updates directly to customers when it’s convenient for their operations.
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October 2019 www.recyclingproductnews.com
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EQUIPMENT FOCUS: MATERIAL HANDLERS
MATERIAL HANDLERS FOR RECYCLING > CAT MH RANGE FEATURES LATEST MACHINE MONITORING AND ANTI-THEFT
Introduced in 2018, the Doosan DX225MH-5 material handler is ideal for work in scrapyards, recycling and solid waste facilities and transfer stations. According to Doosan, these durable, Tier 4–compliant machines are designed for a long life with a sturdy steel-track undercarriage and feature enhancements in fuel efficiency, versatility and productivity over previous models. Originally designed based on tested and proven Doosan excavator models, the DX225MH-5 material handler is factory fitted with cab risers for increased visibility, and additional machine guarding for boosted uptime protection. The DX225MH-5 uses a straight boom, for improved reach and lift height, while its droop nose arm provides enhanced grapple and magnet access into containers, trucks and railcars. Other key features include enhanced all-around visibility for operators, four-foot standard fixed cab riser with an optional six-foot cab riser or 6.5-foot hydraulic cab riser, and multiple power modes. Additionally, Doosan’s DX225MH-5 models come with a standard three-year subscription to DoosanCONNECT which allows remote monitoring of machine location, hours, fuel usage, engine idle versus work time and error codes, as well as engine and hydraulic temperatures.
Cat MH3022, MH3024 and MH3026 wheel material handlers are designed to reduce fuel consumption by as much as 10 percent. A redesign of the cab and cab access, added lighting and vision-enhancing cameras promote greater safety, comfort and convenience for the operator. A wide choice of dedicated front linkages, work tools, guards and undercarriages allow these purpose-built models to work productively and durably in industrial, waste management, scrap recycling, mill-yard and waterway applications. MH wheel material handlers are equipped with Cat Product Link to provide timely, useful information about machine status and utilization. According to Caterpillar, this information enables managers to make timely, fact-based decisions about equipment assets. In addition, these machines also incorporate a PIN-code anti-theft system. For operator convenience during short breaks in production, the system remembers the last code entered before engine shutdown and allows that code to remain active for a set time. Pictured right, the MH3024 model uses a Cat C7.1 ACERT engine, with Tier 4 Final/Stage IV emissions, an operating weight of 22,950- to 24,165 kilograms (50,596-53,242 pounds) and has maximum travel speed of 16 mph.
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50 Recycling Product News October 2019
> LBX INTRODUCES THREE NEW MODELS IN 2019 In 2019, LBX Company introduced the Link-Belt 600 X4 Material Handler (MH) as well as two smaller models – the 250 X4 MH and 250 X4 SL (scrap loader). All three models feature electronically controlled Isuzu engines that meet EPA Tier 4 Final requirements, without the need for a diesel particulate filter (DPF). Both 250 X4 models use a 177-hp engine, but differ due to the use of a curved boom and straight arm (on the MH), and straight boom and droop-nose arm (on the SL). The new 600 X4 MH features an electronically-controlled 362-hp engine and is purpose-built for material handling and demolition applications. Key features of 600 X4 models include a roomy cab with a hydraulic cab riser operator view of 5.9 m (19 feet 4 inches) above the ground, a 7-inch LCD colour monitor for easy navigation of userfriendly controls, as well as a heavy-duty, high-wide undercarriage, larger drive motor and easy servicing. In addition, these machines are available with the RemoteCARE GPS telematics system, allowing 24/7 remote monitoring and security, as well as the Wide Angle Visual Enhancement System (WAVES) which uses three closed-circuit, high resolution cameras, providing a seamless 270-degree viewing envelope with no blind spots.
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EQUIPMENT FOCUS: MATERIAL HANDLERS < NEW FUCHS MH DESIGNED TO BRIDGE THE GAP IN 60- TO 70-TONNE CATEGORY Fuchs debuted its latest material handler, the MHL375F HD, at bauma 2019 in April. According to Fuchs, the MHL375F HD was recreated from scratch and is suitable for both port and scrap handling, especially for loading shredders and shears. These machines also feature advanced telematics and the option to be powered by either a diesel or electric motor. Designed to bridge the gap in the 60to 70-tonne category, the MHL375F HD has a huge undercarriage, is very agile and has a modular system that allows customization to specific requirements. Available Fuchs telematics provide operators with machine data at a glance, indicate specified service intervals, provide fault messages, and help optimize operating costs for owners. These machines also feature CAN BUS and quick tests for fuses; safe and convenient access to engine, air filters and other components; and ladders
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on both sides for convenient access to the superstructure platform. The award-winning Fuchs cab on this machine was specifically designed for material handling machines, with extremely safe, convenient access through a unique sliding door, and windscreen with negative slant for a better view. The cab also features joystick steering, improved visibility and leg room (compared to previous models), as well as a 7-inch multi-function touch display providing easy and intuitive operation and full monitoring of machine data. Plus, a Float Switch in the cab lifts the boom automatically if too much pressure is applied to protect sensitive surfaces. The MHL375F HD uses a 328-hp (245kW) diesel engine, certified to EU-Stage V emissions, or a 200-kW electric motor. Operating weight is 136,687 to 141,757 pounds and maximum reach is 59 feet to 65 feet 6 inches.
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> ELECTRIC-POWERED MH IS LATEST FROM LIEBHERR At bauma 2019 in Germany, Liebherr introduced the LH 26 M Industry Litronic electric material handler. This model is especially designed for recycling applications and is available as an electric-powered model using an innovative drive concept that includes a 90 kW Liebherr electric motor designed to guarantee strong and dynamic working movements, low service costs and minimal noise. The drive concept includes a separate electric motor to operate additional tools and units can be easily adapted to all common energy supply networks worldwide. These machines are particularly suitable for work such as handling, unloading or sorting of waste paper, waste wood and waste materials, and include features such as a reversible fan, a strategically placed climate condenser that maximizes airflow in the cooler and fan unit when working in extremely dusty environments, two-stage air filter, and a prefilter with automatic dust extraction for extra-fine filtration of the engine intake air. Diesel models are certified to stage Tier 4 Final emissions. Other standard features of all LH 26 M material handlers include a sturdy, wide undercarriage for high load capacities and long reach, up to 13 m. Operating weight is 24,200 to 24,500 kilograms.
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EQUIPMENT FOCUS: MATERIAL HANDLERS > SENNEBOGEN TO BRING WORLD’S LARGEST MATERIAL HANDLER TO NORTH AMERICA IN 2020 Sennebogen plans to deliver the first of its new record-setting 895 E Series model to North American customers next year. At an estimated 390 tons and with reach of more than 40 m (130 feet), the 895 E is the largest material handler ever built, according to the company. The 895 E was first unveiled to the public in April at the Sennebogen’s world headquarters in Straubing, Germany, coinciding with bauma 2019, which took place in nearby Munich. Sennebogen says it has taken the limits of material handling a step further with the 895 E. As the world’s largest purpose-built unit, the model is earmarked to take a prominent place in the manufacturer’s growing fleet of green machines. Sennebogen says the development of the new material handler has focused particularly on energy efficiency and operator comfort. The 895 E comes with the company’s innovative energy recovery system and will be offered in multiple drive versions. Multiple cab configurations are also available to give operators the optimum view of their work environment. “The dimensions of this, our largest material handler, make everything else that we ever produced seem small,” said Constantino Lannes, president of Sennebogen LLC. “The operational weight alone is around 780,000 pounds (353,800 kg).” The 895 E is powered by a 755-hp (563-kW) diesel motor or optional 670-hp (500-kW) electric drive motor. It’s offered with a choice of three standard undercarriages including a crawler mount, rail mount, and as a mobile model running with 14 sets of wheels. With its long reach and a maximum lift capacity of up to 50 tons, the 895 E gives major harbours and other high-volume facilities a new option for loading and unloading material. In the 895’s PortCab, operators oversee their work zone from an eye level, up to 22 m (72 feet). In the optional Skylift cab, the operator can also move the cab forward over 11 m (36 feet) in order to maneuver into the optimal vantage point of the loading area.
The 895 E, with reach over 40 m, can be electricor diesel-powered. ELECTRIC-POWERED MOBILITY For mobile material handling applications, Sennebogen also now offers their smaller material handler models, including the 835 E and 830 E, with eGreen electric drive technology. The 830 E, most recently introduced (at bauma 2019) relies primarily on its 225-hp (160-kW) electric motor, with power supplied through a large cable connection at the rear of the machine. The machine uses a mounted cable reel, and its counterweight is an integrated power pack that allows the machine to generate its own power when its capabilities are needed away from cable-connected electric power. Operators can disconnect and move around a site, resulting in maximum flexibility, and combining the savings and simplicity of eGreen technology with the mobility of more traditional diesel-powered material handlers.
Constantino Lannes and the Sennebogen team with their dealer of the year for 2018, Mississauga, Ontario–based Strongco Equipment, at ISRI 2019 in front of an 835 E mobile electricpowered material handler. 54 Recycling Product News October 2019
IC&I RECYCLING
How to start a corporate waste diversion program
BY ARNOLD BOWERS
T
oday, corporations stand at the forefront of the sustainability movement. Amid worldwide recycling and waste management struggles driven by restrictive legislation, new programs and innovations continue to emerge that help businesses reduce their waste output. Investors want to see companies reporting on successful sustainability efforts. Incoming generations of consumers and the next wave of the workforce increasingly want to put their money and labour behind companies working to stem the threat of climate change. Strong business models now must include waste diversion programs and corporate strategy that redirects waste from landfills. Executing a corporate waste diversion program may appear daunting at the outset, but with the proper data collection, consistent implementation of best practices and employee buy-in, waste initiatives reduce operating costs for businesses and ultimately diminish their impact on the environment.
GATHERING DATA
Corporate waste diversion programs need constant attention. With evolving regulations and programs, corporate expectations and equipment advances,
56 Recycling Product News October 2019
these initiatives must be guided by a clear and well-run strategy. Additionally, all departments and individuals, from the CEO to the employees on the frontlines, have to participate for the waste diversion program to succeed. But how do businesses even begin to put the necessary infrastructure in place? The first steps start with data collection and analysis. Gathering data gives companies the base knowledge to understand where there is excessive waste, what should be cut back and how they should implement change. Quantitative and qualitative data both play a role in this process. Quantitative data helps businesses measure the return-on-investment (ROI) and what to focus on for waste diversion. This data includes waste composition by weight and percentage of waste per loading dock, providing insight into where waste is happening and what it’s composed of. Qualitative data connects those findings to specific operational practices, helping businesses identify problem areas and solutions. Businesses can pull data from a variety of sources, including invoices and service contracts, which provide service details and clarify where a company stands with its waste output, often inciting unexpected insights into its waste practices. Corporations also commonly conduct waste audits to gain access to additional data that renders a more complete portrait of the areas of their operations which create gratuitous waste, and to spark new ideas to resolve the issues at hand.
TURNING DATA INTO ACTION
Once data collection is finished and a business has gleaned some insight into where it can cut waste, it’s time to act. Companies can form the right strategy to make the appropriate employee habits stick. Commitment and consistency are
“
With the proper data collection, consistent implementation of best practices and employee buy-in, waste initiatives reduce operating costs for businesses and ultimately diminish their impact on the environment.” Arnold Bowers necessary to make a corporate waste diversion program optimally effective. Each company is unique – it has its own goals, processes, people and problem areas involved in the creation of waste. This means that each corporate waste diversion program will be unique as well, and should be treated as such. However, there are certain exercises that consistently encourage waste reduction and diversion, and lower associated operating costs for any type of business.
BEST PRACTICES
Five best practices for corporate waste diversion initiatives are outlined below:
1
Play into convenience: encourage the right behaviours by making it as easy as possible for people to act on them. This may be implemented by matching waste and recycling containers to the particular type of material generated in a given space, or ensuring that the containers are sized appropriately based on the waste stream.
2
Be conscious of signage and setup: recycling containers should be simple and easily identifiable. Colour coding makes it easy for people to quickly and appropriately sort their waste. Mirroring local city signage creates consistency that will encourage participation. And don’t be afraid of humour in signage – a witty message is more likely to engage someone in the process of proper waste disposal that is conducive to recycling. The goal is to impact the behaviour of your staff in a positive manner toward diversion and recycling.
3
Give incentive and opportunity: motivate people to get involved by holding employee contests and urging them to take environmentally friendly practices home with them. Given incentive and opportunity, employees are more likely to want to contribute.
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Enforce habits: ensure employees follow procedures in place for waste diversion programs. Programs like towel-change opt-out in hotels only work if employees of the hotel are following through.
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Engage staff and tenants: It’s important that employees at all levels buy into their company’s sustainability practices. Small-scale individual actions will add up to generate major cost savings for businesses. If one employee’s buy-in encourages just three others, it can equate to significant progress toward a company’s goals.
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1/20/16 Corporate waste diversion programs may initially appear 050-1036-RPN.indd 1 intimidating to business leaders, however they’re more simple than they seem if they start with solid data and consistent employee buy-in. While they do require attenSIGN UP >> recyclingproductnews.com tion, successful initiatives are mutually beneficial because they redirect waste away from landfills, realize millions in yearly savings, reduce emissions, comfort investors, and satisfy a new generation of workforce and consumers. TURBORECYCLING It has never been more necessary to identify where businesses can cut excessive waste from their operational practices. DIVERT FOODWASTE FROM LANDFILL AND RECYCLE? Climate change is at the forefront of politics, science and education. Corporations are a topic in the conversation around sustainability. By implementing sustainable waste diversion programs, corporations can begin to have a major voice in the conversation, too.
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Arnold Bowers is senior director – business solutions for ENGIE Impact (formerly ENGIE Insight) leading a team of subject matter experts focused on data, waste, energy, telecom, sustainability and carbon products and services.
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EDITOR ON THE ROAD
WASTE & RECYCLING EXPO CANADA 2019 BY KEITH BARKER, EDITOR
T
he 22nd Waste & Recycling Expo Canada (CWRE) was co-located with the 10th Canadian Waste to Resource Conference (CWRC) in Toronto from October 8–10. The Recycling Product News team along with over 200 exhibitors and hundreds of attendees were fortunate to spend several days together, networking and learning about the latest innovations, strategies and expertise in the industry. As the official media partner for this year’s event, the Recycling Product News team was kept busy, starting with a full day of GTA waste facility tours. The opening gala for both shows took place after the facility tours on Tuesday night, with the CWRE trade show and CWRC seminars running concurrently October 9–10. The waste facility tour this year started the week off with a memorable highlight. Part of the CWRC event, organized by the Ontario Waste Management Association (OWMA) and led by Michele Goulding, a collection of over 20 municipal representatives, press
and other waste management pros were taken on a day-long tour of five cutting-edge recycling and waste management facilities in the Greater Toronto Area. The day started at the City of Toronto’s Disco Road anaerobic digestion facility, where they divert and convert to energy over 75,000 metric tonnes of residential and commercial organics yearly. Next, the group was transported to the Triple M Metals Brampton facility for a tour of their ferrous scrapyard where the company is scheduled to add a 100-tph Mega-Shredder by 2020, and a visit to Triple M’s co-located nonferrous recycling facility as well as the aluminum remelting plant (owned by Triple M sister-company Matalco Inc.). The third stop on our tour was at a 100-tonnes-per-day e-waste recycling operation owned by the newly formed Quantum Lifecycle Partners LP. An amalgamation of Shift Group and GEEP Canada, Quantum is now Canada’s largest vertically integrated ITAD services and WEEE processing company. The CWRC tour continued on to Canada Fibers’ 27-acre Resource
58 Recycling Product News October 2019
Top: On the show floor at CWRE 2019 in Toronto, October 10, with Michele Goulding and Melissa Carlaw from the OWMA. Middle: one of the CWRE show floor educational sessions, focused on managing cannabis industry waste. Bottom: On the CWRC waste facility tour, organized by the OWMA, inside the nonferrous warehouse at Triple M Metals.
EDITOR ON THE ROAD Recovery and Recycling Campus, home to their Urban Polymers plastics processing operations and their singlestream Arrow Road MRF – one of the largest, most technologically advanced residential materials recovery facilities in North America. Finally, the tour took the group out to Veolia North America’s lamp recycling facility in Pickering where they capture all mercury from
lamps and use a cutting-edge Balcan MP8000 lamp recycling machine capable of processing 5,000 four-foot fluorescent lamps hourly. CWRC educational seminars this year focused on a wide range of topics, from food waste management innovations to the current changes in Ontario’s EPR infrastructure. On Tuesday, the luncheon keynote speaker, Frank Denton,
Top: On the CWRC tour at Quantum Lifecycle Partners’ e-waste processing facility, with Clayton Miller. Above: a 100 percent electric-powered collection vehicle on the CWRE show floor at the Boivin Evolution booth.
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CEO of Ontario’s Resource Recovery & Productivity Authority (RPRA) spoke to hundreds of attendees about the success so far and challenges to come with respect to Ontario’s current transition to EPR-based waste diversion programs for everything from tires to Blue Box curbside residential materials. On the CWRE 2019 show floor, besides over 200 equipment, technology and service providers, and additional educational sessions provided tips for waste and recycling pros on everything from effective social media strategies to managing all the new regulations governing the burgeoning cannabis waste management industry. Waste & Recycling Expo 2019 was also a very significant one for those of us that have been in the industry for many years. This year’s event was the last for show organizer Arnie Gess, who is moving on to other opportunities after over 30 years in the waste and recycling industry. Arnie Gess and Recycling Product News have shared a two-decades-long relationship and he can be counted as one of our oldest clients, a collaborator and a great friend. Arnie Gess will be missed in our industry (if he does not return to it in some capacity) and we wish him all the best in his future endeavours, whatever they may be. RPN
LASTWORD
PLASTIC PACKAGING RECYCLING AND THE FUTURE – NO NEED FOR SKEPTICISM
T
BY JOE HRUSKA
he level of skepticism around the recycling of plastic packaging and our ability to keep it out of nature has reached new heights. Skepticism is evident everywhere. There are calls for bans on single-use food packaging, multi-use plastic shopping bags, and foam polystyrene food packaging. When did civil society stop believing the scientists? Scientific study after study from governments, environment agencies, and think tanks all show that replacing plastic with alternatives will accelerate climate change dramatically. It would increase negative environmental impacts by a factor of four – because four times more replacement material is required to do the same function. The science also shows that paper bags are close to being the worst replacement option for plastic bags. So why the bans? And what about paper food packaging, the favoured replacement for polystyrene foam food packaging, as put forth by foam-ban proponents in Vancouver, for example? Paper-based food packaging cannot be recycled and will end up
as garbage in landfill. Foam polystyrene food packaging, on the other hand, can be recycled. It makes no environmental sense. At what point does skepticism intersect with virtue signalling? The stakes are high for Canadians when it comes to public health, protecting our food and preventing food wastage. Until recently, recycling of plastic packaging has faced major challenges with respect to technology, collection and end markets. There have been advances, however. On the technology front, new non-wrapping sorting screens for the mechanical recycling of flexible plastic films have reduced labour costs to clean screens and improved quality of plastic and fibre sorted. Eighty percent of plastic packaging can be handled well through mechanical recycling. But, what about the 20 percent of plastic packaging that is landfilled because it is considered non-recyclable? The answer comes in the form of major technology breakthroughs in molecular/chemical recycling. These breakthroughs mean that con-
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LASTWORD taminated plastics, complex packaging, dirty polystyrene and foam food packaging can now be captured and recycled in facilities emerging across Canada and the U.S. Companies with capable facilities in Canada include Green Mantra, Revital, Pyrowave, Polystyvert, Sustane Technologies, BBL Industries. Just across the border of B.C., Regenyx in Washington State is another. Molecular/chemical recycling is breakthrough technology that recycles plastics not managed in mechanical processes. Using depolymerization, the technology breaks plastic polymers apart, purifies them and returns the plastic to its original molecules so they can be reused as feedstock in any new application, including food packaging and even medical applications. Capturing used plastic for recycling continues to be a major challenge. We cannot recycle unless we collect what’s out there. Efforts are underway across Canada to harmonize what is collected and to capture hard-to-recycle plastics like multi-material films, pouches and food-soiled polystyrene. One recent innovation is the Dow Hefty energy & recycling bag. To be used at curbside, its purpose is to collect plastic
packaging that is not part of the residential stream, which then can be pre-sorted at a MRF and directed to recyclers and other end markets. Still, the most promising development in Canadian recycling is the adoption of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), where industry assumes full responsibility for recycling of residential packaging and paper materials. This will ensure consistency of supply of quality material for recyclers and help smooth out market price volatility. It should even help with end markets for recycled resins – perhaps the most serious challenge facing the recovered plastics industry. The goal of zero waste can only be achieved by building a circular economy. But without end markets to close the loop, it will never happen. Someone needs to buy the recycled material. The move to EPR will help somewhat, but even so, the plastics industry needs to do a better job helping to locate and secure end markets. Governments and industry also have a critical role to play by specifying recycled content in their procurement programs. There is huge potential across the entire plastics industry to find a home for recy-
cled resins in construction, automotive and in medical sectors. Here the Canadian Plastics Industry Association has already been hard at work establishing new end markets for hard to recycle plastics collected in the new Hefty energy recycling bag. Markets have been identified in Ontario at plastic wood manufacturing companies, and new technology innovators, Pyrowave and Green Mantra, have joined a circular supply chain with Revital Polymers and Ineos Styrolution to build a specific end market for recycled polystyrene. Skeptics and virtue signallers aside, we will continue to innovate and work to help build a more effective recycling system for plastic packaging across Canada using science and technology. We will continue to advocate for the environment and work with our industry and government partners to build a circular economy for plastic packaging, particularly given its critical importance to protecting the health of Canadians and our food supply. To not follow the science is to put Canadians and the environment at risk.
Advance Tire................................ 52
Gensco Equipment.........................26
Mack Trucks ...................................2
American Baler............................ 60
Global Sensor Systems Inc............48
Michel’s Industries Ltd..................27
BM&M Screening Solutions........ 34
Harris Equipment............................35
OverBuilt Inc..................................17
Buffalo Turbine............................ 36
Herbold USA..................................37
Paradigm Software........................61
Bunting Magnetics...................... 19
Industrial Magnetics, Inc................41
PMR Inc.........................................28
Continental Biomass Industries...21
Industrial Netting............................57
R.M. Johnson................................29
Compology.................................. 47
IPL Inc............................................48
Rotochopper Inc..............................5
CONEXPO-CON/AGG................. 59
Kensal Carbide...............................55
Scott Equipment Company...........57
CP Group..................................... 49
Komptech Americas.......................15
Sennebogen LLC.............................4
Doosan.......................................... 6
LBX Co...........................................64
Shred-Tech....................................11
Ecolo Odor Control Technologies...9
LeFort America...............................51
Sierra International Machinery...... 33
E-Crane....................................... 52
Lindner Recyclingtech America........31
Stellar Industries Inc......................39
ELV Select................................... 25
Machinex........................................... 3
Van Dyk Recycling Solutions.........43
Exodus........................................ 53
Machinex Recycling Services......... 45
World of Concrete 2020................63
Joe Hruska is VP of Sustainability at the Canadian Plastics Industry Association.
ADVERTISER INDEX
62 Recycling Product News October 2019
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