Page 21 - HUB-4 Magazine Issue 84

Recycling News
Global efforts to improve
efficiencies in recycling
Whilst ambitions for a circular economy continue to gain momentum, uncertain market conditions make it increasingly difficult to turn a profit in the recycling business. So, squeezing maximum efficiency from recycling plant operations has become essential, writes Reiner Fertig of Martin Engineering.
Prices of recycled commodities like metal scrap, plastics, aggregates, paper and cardboard and have dropped significantly, yet the cost of processing recyclables has remained steady or risen due to higher energy and labor costs. Energy costs for industries across all sectors have more than doubled, almost everywhere in the world. [Fig.1]
In fact, for companies specializing in sustainable materials management, the cost of recycling equipment, manpower and energy required to process materials has risen substantially whilst markets have remained subdued and prices stagnant at best.
The impact on the bottom line is exacerbated by the kinds of challenges faced by recyclers that rarely impact producers of primary materials – recycled feedstocks can be notoriously inconsistent, frequently contaminated with unwanted objects and non-recyclables.
They are often sticky and laden with moisture, and can contain abrasive, corrosive substances, all of which give rise to an assortment of production challenges that few other sectors face to the same extent.
The material characteristics of waste feedstocks often mean that they can quickly clog up processing equipment such as conveyor belts, transfer chutes, bins and hoppers, and cause excessive wear and tear on machinery, leading to unplanned, costly shutdowns.
Worse still, despite the overwhelming risks, it’s not uncommon for workers to be sent into hazardous situations to manually clear spillages, blockages and build-ups in order to get plants back up and running quickly. Without the right risk assessments to ensure that the hazards associated with energy isolation, working at height and confined space access are addressed, the consequences can be fatal.
From a safety standpoint alone, ensuring recycling plants run smoothly is critical, let alone the benefits in terms of productivity and profitability.
Metal recycling is key to a circular economy, but processing has to stack up economically as well as environmentally Copyright © 2023 Martin Engineering
[Fig.1]
www.hub-4.com Jan/Feb - Issue 84 | p21 |