MATERIALS RECOVERY FACILITY. providing recycling solutions for the midlands.

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1 MATERIALS RECOVERY FACILITY providing recycling solutions for the midlands

2 four ashes MRF Our skills, resources and market knowledge are the driving force behind the construction of our new Materials Recovery Facility at Four Ashes in the West Midlands. One of the most technologically-advanced facilities in the area, the Four Ashes MRF occupies an ideal location just one mile from junction 12 of the M6, within easy reach of the national road network. The MRF has been designed to handle up to 40,000 tonnes of co-mingled steel and aluminium cans, plastic bottles and glass bottles and jars every year. Co-mingled collections simplify recycling for residents and improve participation rates. The ability to accept glass, which represents around 9% of the municipal waste stream, can also significantly increase local authorities recycling performance. In addition, Four Ashes MRF can accept up to 9,000 tonnes of paper and cardboard for baling and onward transport, making it the logical destination for materials from local authority kerbside collections in the surrounding area, or from commercial premises. For more information on our services, please contact: +44(0) R E C O V E R Y R E C Y C L I N G R E S U L T S

3 meeting the recycling challenge Recycling is on the increase across the UK thanks to stringent legislation, public support, the growing costs of waste disposal and the resulting expansion of recycling collection systems. As the leading provider of waste management solutions, it is Veolia Environmental Services business to anticipate rising demand for sustainable, integrated recycling services and to provide the infrastructure required to meet the evolving needs of millions of residents. With the backing and resources of an international environmental services company, we are ideally positioned to handle the complexities of the recycling and reprocessing market. We have an unrivalled track record of developing and operating advanced recycling and recovery facilities, designed to meet demand now and in the future. Every new facility is constructed to suit local requirements, using the latest technology to provide solutions capable of recovering an increasing variety of high quality recyclable materials. C O M M U N I T Y R E C Y C L I N G E X P E R T I S E

4 cutting edge materials recovery The recovery process at the Four Ashes Materials Recovery Facility is automated wherever possible employing the latest technology to efficiently recover materials of the highest quality, ready to be passed on to reprocessors. Reception Mixed recyclables are delivered into the MRF reception area and then transferred into a loading hopper, which delivers a steady stream of materials to a trommel screen. Any unsuitable material or large items are removed from the material stream immediately. The trommel - 10m long and 2.5m wide - rotates at 12 revs per minute, sequentially separating out glass, containers and oversize materials. Plastic bottles Plastics are initially separated from co-mingled materials by an autosort, which shines an infrared light onto the conveyor belt. The computer senses the near-infrared wavelengths in the reflected light and is able to differentiate between the plastics and other materials. To maximise recovery, a manual sort subsequently further separates the plastic streams. Glass Bottles and jars are broken and screened out from the plastic bottles and cans at an early stage, to produce a glass cullet. A glass crusher is employed to ensure that even necks and bases of glass bottles are recovered. Cans Ferrous metals are extracted by an overband magnet and deposited in a bunker ready for baling. Aluminium is removed by an eddy current separator. Paper and card Veolia Environmental Services can accept paper and card for baling and onward transport at the same location. Transport costs are reduced by collecting the materials on split-bodied vehicles, providing economies of scale for separately collected paper and card. Baler feed Material is transferred to the baler feed conveyor, which runs through the centre of the plant, connecting the storage bunkers and feeding the balers in an even flow. Separated material is compacted into bales, which are then wire-wrapped and stored in a loading area ready for transportation to reprocessors. T E C H N O L O G Y S U S T A I N A B I L I T Y C O L L E C T I O N S

5 recovering value from waste Veolia Environmental Services constantly supplies a network of local, national and international reprocessors through its recycling and recovery activities. Regular and stringent assessment of the integrity and quality of the product helps to maximise the efficiency of our operation and ensures our customers recyclates find a safe, reputable end market. Health and Safety Automated operations at the Four Ashes MRF are managed from a control cabin, where an advanced software package regulates speed and monitors performance. This system improves health and safety performance by limiting the need for manual intervention. In addition, the facility s specifications include stringent measures to create a safe and hygienic work environment, including noise attenuation, air conditioning and dust extraction. Working with the community Our excellent location, close to the motorway network but away from major residential areas, inherently minimises any impact on our immediate neighbours. However, Veolia Environmental Services works hard to maintain links within the community and the facility s educational value remains of prime importance to all involved in its construction. The MRF was designed and constructed to be accessible to all sectors of the community, facilitating educational tours and visits for environmental groups, the media and our customers and encouraging interest in the latest recycling technologies. Local solutions, international expertise Veolia Environmental Services combines local knowledge with innovative research from our global contacts to develop pioneering facilities, appropriate to the needs of the communities in which we operate. We are an established employer in the West Midlands, where we are well known for our industry know-how and efficient, cost effective services. The Four Ashes MRF fulfils a vital role for the area, using state of the art technology to provide a high quality, convenient and cost effective solution for local authorities and commercial operations alike. For more information on our services, please contact: +44(0) sales.birmingham@veolia.co.uk E N V I R O N M E N T A L S O L U T I O N S R E C O V E R Y

6 Veolia ES Birmingham Limited James Road Tyseley Birmingham B11 2BA Tel: +44(0) Fax: +44(0) Veolia Environmental Services Plc 2008 Printed on paper that is certified wood fibre from sustainable forests and up to 50% recycled fibre and is made without the use of chlorine.