Turning collected material into product.
WHAT A FACILITY DOES
Receives mixed or separated material Sorts it by type and grade Removes contamination
Processes: baling, shredding, granulating
Stores and despatches
WHAT TO ESTABLISH
Throughput: tonnes handled per day.
WHAT DETERMINES IT
Sorting capacity, which is usually manual Equipment Space Despatch frequency
WHY SORTING IS THE BOTTLENECK
It is labour-intensive and it cannot be easily automated at small scale.
WHAT TO MEASURE
Tonnes sorted per person per day.
WHAT AFFECTS IT
How well separated material arrives Working conditions Layout
WHY INCOMING SEPARATION MATTERS
Material arriving separated requires a fraction of the sorting effort.
WHAT TO ENCOURAGE
Separation at source.
HOW
Pricing that rewards it, and guidance to suppliers.
WHAT LAYOUT REQUIRES
Flow from receipt through sorting to storage and despatch Separate storage by material Space for vehicles
WHAT STORAGE REQUIRES
Protection from rain, for materials degraded by moisture Fire separation Pest control Not accumulating beyond what you can sell
WHY FIRE RISK DESERVES ATTENTION
Stored waste and recyclables burn readily and such fires are severe and prolonged.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH
Limits on stored quantity, separation between stockpiles, and fire precautions.
WHAT TO PROVIDE
Water supply and extinguishers adequate to the risk.
WHAT TO RECORD
Material received, by source and weight Material despatched, by buyer and weight Residual waste disposed of
WHY RESIDUAL WASTE
It is a cost, and it must go to an authorised destination.
