Recovering value from MRFs (754.52 KB) - Wrap

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Understanding MRFs IntroductionThis summary document draws together the results of three separatestudies commissioned by WRAP:MRF Case Study Review (contractor: The Dougherty Group LLC), whichlooked at material sorting practices and technologies employed at across-section of MRFs in England, the USA and Europe;MRF Cost Model and User Guide (contractor: Entec Consulting Ltd),which developed a costing tool for different materials sortingoptions; andContractual Arrangements between Local Authorities and MRFOperators (contractor: AEA Technology plc), which reviewed andassessed existing contractual relationships between MRF operatorsand local authorities across the UK.It presents an overview of key aspects in the specification, operationand costs of MRFs with specific reference to:principles of MRF operations;the main steps involved in processing recyclables;costs and economy of scale benefits; andcontractual arrangements to support investment and promotehigh standards of operation.It is intended as an introduction for those unfamiliar with the issuessurrounding the specification, operation and costs of MRFs. The fullreports are available on WRAP’s website – www.wrap.org.uk. The CostModel is available on request.
Understanding MRFs MRF operationsThere should be sufficient capacityto store at least two days’ worth ofincoming materials.Receiving materialsIt should be standard practice at a MRF for incoming recyclables tobe received and stored, prior to processing, on a tipping floor which isprotected from the weather. Water can significantly reduce the value ofsome recyclables especially paper and card. There should be sufficientcapacity to store at least two days’ worth of incoming materials. Thiswill enable collection rounds to continue even during unscheduledequipment downtime and at times of high demand such as the post-Christmas period. It also gives the MRF a buffer so that it does nothave to force material through the MRF faster than its design allowsfor, which can have adverse consequences for quality.Pre-sortingInclusion of an adequate pre-sort station in a MRF can deliver qualitycontrol and efficiency benefits. Pre-sorting not only allows removal ofcontaminants early in the sorting process, but also permits removalof specific recyclables that might otherwise hinder sorting activitiesdownstream. Materials such as film plastic, oversized cardboardas well as non-recyclables (organics, wire, wood etc) can causeproblems for some of the automated processing equipment, andcan be removed at the pre-sort stage. This enables the processingequipment to operate as designed and makes manual sorting moreefficient. Although pre-sort stations are common in North Americanand European MRFs, they are not incorporated in all MRFs in the UK.The tipping floor at a MRF. Incoming materials arereceived and stored here prior to processing.Managing flowsEfficient sorting critically depends on a continuous and even flow ofmaterial being maintained through the MRF. Levelling out the flowof material occurs as the materials enter the sorting process. Thiscan be achieved by using a series of conveyors operating at variablespeeds, stationary gates or metering drums.
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Page 19 and 20: Understanding MRFs 17ConclusionsThe

Recovering value from MRFs (754.52 KB) - Wrap

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