Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Dual Stream and Multi-Sort Recycling

Multi-sort or Dual stream recycling is a collection system which requires consumers to pre-sort their fibers (papers and cardboard) and mixed containers (metal, glass, plastic) into separate bins. The final sorting of materials is completed by a combination of machine and human labor.

Green Star Recycling provides a great infographic for us:



Advantages

  • Increased quality control and less contamination of end product
  • More materials are processed and recovered, less residue heading to landfills
  • Potential higher market value of high quality materials
  • Lower processing costs
Disadvantages

  • Separate compartments on trucks reduce capacity and can ‘top-out’ prior to another
  • Less convenient for consumers
  • Potentially reduced participation, especially for those with space constraints
  • Increased collection times 


Thursday, December 18, 2014

Single Stream Recycling

Single stream recycling is a collection and processing system which allows co-mingling of recyclable materials. Once received at the Materials Recovery Facility, a specialized plant, the recyclables undergo cleaning, separating, and preparation before they are marketed to manufacturers for reuse.

Advanced Disposal, a hauler that operates in 17 states, explains the processing that occurs within a Materials Recovery Facility:




Advantages

  • Reduced sorting effort by residents leads to increased participation 
  • Reduced collection cost, single compartment trucks interchange between waste and recycling 
  • Expands the list of acceptable recyclable materials
Disadvantages
  • Initial capital cost for carts, collection vehicles, and processing facilities
  • Contamination of raw materials can degrade quality of certain final products
  • Unmarketable end products head to the landfill

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Introducing A Space of Waste

This blog is dedicated to all things waste. I will be covering and researching a wide range of topics including:


  • Reducing, Reusing, and Recycling
  • Trash, Garbage, and Rubbish
  • Composting
  • E-Waste
  • Recycling Technologies
  • Trash to Treasure
  • Companies, Organizations, and Movements
  • Alternative Transportation
  • Natural Cleaning Agents and Cosmetics
  • Anything else my readers want to learn more about, just ask!!