The Green Reboot: Rethinking Recycling

Presented by: MECBIO

MECBIO’s waste recycling system offer an end-to-end solution to improve material recovery and reduce environmental impact.

As global populations swell and consumerism reaches new heights, the byproduct is an ever-increasing stream of waste. 

The challenge is monumental. The solution – effective and efficient waste recycling systems – is within grasp, says Dean Dowie, Mecbio’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer.

“In an era where sustainability is not just a choice but a necessity, waste recycling systems stand at the forefront of environmental innovation,” Dean says.

“Waste recycling systems are not just mechanisms; they are a movement towards a greener, more sustainable future.

“When companies invest in such systems, they also increase their environmental stewardship, regulatory compliance, cost savings, and enhance their reputation among consumers and investors.”

Incorporating waste recycling processes allows companies to manage waste more effectively, recover valuable materials, and reduce environmental impact. 

Mecbio designs, builds and services mechanical and biological waste recovery facilities for construction and demolition, plastics and organics waste. It also provides a range of world class sorting and processing lines, as well as specialist recycling equipment.

It is the exclusive Australasian distributor of RENTEC, a global leading manufacturer of high-duty, robust machines for waste processing and rendering applications.

MECBIO’s recycling systems encompass the entire process from sorting through to screening and shredding, and Rentec supports MECBIO with screening and shredding.

Sorting success

Sorting is the first step to recycling and is critical in determining the quality of the recyclable material. 

Automated sorting systems have revolutionised this stage, bringing efficiency and precision. They can swiftly separate materials by type and composition, ensuring that each item is directed towards its appropriate recycling path.

Dean says the Rentec Bagripper is a totally new approach to the classic bag ripper or bag shredder. The machine provides perfectly constant output with higher separation efficiency and sorting quality, reduced share of residual material, and no damage to the recyclables. 

When sorting separately collected lightweight household packaging with a density of 80 cubic kilograms, the BagRipper can process more than 25 tonne per hour. 

“The machine is also able to treat the more elaborate plastics such as films, tapes and ribbons,” Dean says. 

Precision in separation

Screening meticulously filters out contaminants and non-recyclable components and is vital for maintaining the integrity of the recycling stream. 

Advanced screening technologies can now differentiate materials with remarkable accuracy, a testament to the technological strides the industry has made .

The Rentec Scalpel grader is a unique roller grader. With a 1.6 metre wide x 9.0 metre long grader bed, the scalpel can sort fractions from 0-300-millimetres, without any overlength, from a mixed waste stream. 

Each roller can be set for height, speed and mutual shaft distance as the application dictates. If the waste contains little recyclable matter, for example, coarse waste fractions, a driver is configured to produce as many fractions smaller than 300-millimetres as possible. 

Reducing to reuse

Shredding is the transformative process that breaks down bulky items into manageable sizes. This not only facilitates easier handling and transportation but also prepares materials for the next stage of recycling. 

Dean describes shredders as the unsung heroes, tirelessly working to ensure that every piece of waste is given a new lease on life.

The Rentec Dinosaurus is a stationary, slow speed, double-rotor shredder with hydraulic drive. It is suitable for the shredding and conditioning of all kinds of solid waste: industrial waste, bulky household waste, construction and demolition waste, green or organic waste, wood, etc. 

The processing capacity varies from 15 to 100 tons per hour, depending on the input material and the configuration of the rotors and knives.

The Dinosaurus system is equipped with an innovative shredder table to convert the waste into coarse or fine material depending on the selected program. In addition, the variable speed control allows for production capacity adjustment depending on the downstream processes.

The Dinosaurus is suited to waste-to-energy plants, to sort and recover recyclables and in biogas and composting installations.

“Governments, businesses, and individuals alike must come together to champion the cause of recycling,” Dean says. “It is a collective effort that demands innovation, investment, and most importantly, a change in mindset.

“Investing in waste recycling systems is not just as a matter of compliance but is a core strategy for sustainable growth.”

For more information, visit: www.mecbio.com.au.