According to the Knowledge Product (KP) studies commissioned by the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA), a clean material recovery facility (cMRF) is suitable for the processing of dry, mixed recyclables that have been segregated from the general waste stream. The recyclables can be sourced from a number of suitable collections, namely a domestic household recycling collection, a commercial dry recycling collection or recycling collected by authorities at transfer sites /civic amenity sites /drop off points. A cMRF will typically handle metals, plastic, glass, paper, cardboard, textiles and waxed cartons. Use was made of the manual provided by GreenCape and approved by the Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism, ‘Towards integrated municipal waste management: technical guide for technology identification and screening for integrated waste management planning’.
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Main license requirements for cMRF CLICK HERE [Insert link to legislation table]
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Read more (http://www.joburg.org.za/images/October/5.pdf) Pikitup Johannesburg SOC Limited initiated a pilot ‘Separation at Source’ project in the Waterval Depot Area in November 2009, targeting 35,000 households. The vision of the 'Separation at Source' team is to ‘divert recyclable waste away from landfill’ through a separate dry recycling operation (paper, glass, plastic and cans). The recyclables are collected by co-operatives and taken to sorting and recycling facilities. The pilot project proved successful and segregation at source has been initiated. In support of the roll-out of the 'Separation at Source' programme, the Robinson Deep material recycling facility (MRF) has been re-commissioned as a clean MRF. The ‘Separation at Source’ programme was expanded to other areas (Zondi, Diepsloot and Orange Farm), to serve approximately 265,000 households, collecting 4,970 tonnes per annum of recyclable materials. Pikitup was to extend this service to cover the entire City by June 2014, namely all 958,000 households. The Robinson Deep MRF was built in the early 1990s and was previously operated as a ‘dirty’ MRF, receiving mixed waste and sorting through the ‘dirty’ mixed waste to recover recyclables. Recovery was inefficient and the demand for the ‘contaminated’ recovered materials was poor. This operation was found not to be viable and subsequently the facility was closed, prior to being re-commissioned as a clean MRF which is currently operational. Mechanised conveyors and manual sorters are used. Reclaimers, previously hand-picking recyclables from landfill sites, are provided with formal employment in the facility away from the hazardous tipping areas of the landfill. About 450 jobs were expected to be created at the Robinson Deep MRF when in full operation. The reclaimers can be deployed to the MRF to work under better controlled and hygienic conditions. It is envisaged that as the City-wide roll-out of clean recyclable bins progresses, less recyclable waste will find its way to the landfill. This will also contribute significantly to the reduction of waste that is disposed at the landfill site, thereby prolonging its lifespan. Source: Jeffares and Green Waste Minimisation Strategy, 2014
Read more (http://pocacito.eu/sites/default/files/Kraaifontein_CapeTown.pdf, http://www.civildesigner.com/news/saice/kraaifontein.pdf) The Kraaifontein Waste Management facility currently integrates refuse transfer of 1 000 tonnes per day with a semi-mechanised material recovery facility (MRF). It uses a combination of mechanical and manual technologies to sort approximately 100 tonnes per day of dry recyclables, which have been separated at source and collected by the facility’s operator. The aim is to divert as much waste as possible from landfill sites and to facilitate economically viable recycling. The general operation is successful; however, the pyrolysis plant has been sold to a private entity as the city was unable to run it successfully.
Kraaifontein MRF City of Cape Town
Read more (http://www.mpactrecycling.co.za/about/our-operations) Durban Solid Waste (DSW) runs an orange bag system where householders separate clean recyclable wastes (paper, paper-board and plastics) from their waste which is placed in a black bag. A separate privatised collection system using local contractors is used to collect the orange bags while DSW (the metro waste management agency) collects the black bags. A white bag is planned to be introduced into the system to collect glass and tin cans. The orange bags are delivered to the Mpact clean MRF where a simple floor sorting and labour-intensive system is used. It has been demonstrated in Ethekwini Metro that the sorters prefer the simple floor sorting process and prefer to be employed. Further when the people are employed, they will sort without selectivity but informal systems lead to cherry picking for themselves. A formal trommel and conveyor system was provided where the staff sort into bins but staff indicate that they prefer the simple floor sorting process.
According to the Knowledge Product (KP)studies commissioned by the Department of Environmental Affai...
According to the Knowledge Product (KP) studies commissioned by the Department of Environmental Affa...