We Are Stardust - Materials Recovery Facility

Summary

This video showcases the vital role of the Gilmos Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) in recycling. It highlights how household waste, including paper, plastic, glass, and cans, is collected and sorted using state-of-the-art technology to recover recyclable materials. These materials, processed at the MRF, are then sent to reprocessors to be turned into new products, such as paper for newspapers. The video emphasizes the importance of community participation in recycling and the significant reduction of waste sent to landfills. The facility is a key player in transforming waste management from 'cradle to grave' to a more sustainable 'cradle to cradle' process.

Takeaways

• 😀 Households in the region have adopted a system with three bins for general waste, green waste, and recyclable items such as paper, cans, and plastic.
• 😀 The co-mingled recyclable materials are sent to Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs) like Gilmos MRF for sorting and processing.
• 😀 Gilmos MRF processes around 55,000 tons of recyclable materials annually, with a recovery rate of 92-93%.
• 😀 The plant uses state-of-the-art industrial processes to separate materials into distinct components, like paper, cans, plastics, and glass.
• 😀 Various sorting technologies, such as manual pickers, magnets, screens, and optical sorters, are used to separate different types of recyclables.
• 😀 The materials recovery process includes separating fiber materials (like paper and cardboard) and containers (such as cans and plastics).
• 😀 After separation, the materials are cleaned, baled, and prepared for resale to secondary processors like paper mills or glass manufacturers.
• 😀 The facility does not recycle the materials themselves but recovers them as secondary raw materials for reuse in industry.
• 😀 The recycling process supports a 'Cradle to Cradle' approach, where recovered materials are reprocessed and used to create new products.
• 😀 Public participation is crucial; cleaner bins and correct recycling lead to higher recovery rates. Recycling facilities around Merseyside help ensure materials are properly sorted.
• 😀 The Gilmos MRF facility is a multi-million-pound investment that reduces landfill waste by recovering valuable recyclable materials from households.

Q & A

What are the three types of bins used by households for waste sorting in the region?

Households in the region use three bins for waste sorting: one for general waste, one for green waste, and one for recyclable items such as paper, cardboard, cans, plastic bottles, and glass.

What is the role of a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF)?

A Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) is responsible for sorting mixed recyclable materials collected from households into different categories such as paper, cans, plastics, and glass, using a combination of manual and mechanical processes.

How much recyclable material does the Gilmos MRF handle annually?

The Gilmos MRF handles about 55,000 tons of recyclable material annually.

What types of materials are sorted at the Gilmos MRF?

At the Gilmos MRF, materials are sorted into different categories including paper, cardboard, aluminum, steel, plastic, and glass, as well as a residual category for non-recyclable items.

How does the sorting process work at the MRF?

The sorting process at the MRF includes a series of stages such as pre-sorting by hand, passing materials through screens, magnets for removing steel and aluminum, optical sorters for identifying materials, and final cleaning by hand to meet specific recycling standards.

What is the recovery rate at the Gilmos MRF?

The recovery rate at the Gilmos MRF is 92-93%, meaning a high percentage of the incoming recyclable material is successfully sorted and prepared for secondary processing.

What does the Gilmos MRF do with the sorted materials after processing?

After sorting, the materials are baled and prepared for resale to secondary reprocessors, such as paper mills or glass manufacturers, who will process the materials into new products.

What is the 'cradle to cradle' recycling concept mentioned in the video?

The 'cradle to cradle' concept refers to the recycling loop where materials are collected, sorted, and returned to the production cycle to be reused in manufacturing, instead of being disposed of in landfills.

What is the difference between MRFs and materials recycling facilities?

MRFs do not actually recycle materials themselves but focus on recovering and sorting materials. The recovered materials are then sent to secondary reprocessors, such as paper mills, who perform the recycling process.

Why is public participation important in the recycling process?

Public participation is crucial because the cleaner and more accurately sorted the materials are, the higher the quality and value of the recovered materials. This directly affects the efficiency of the recycling process and the effectiveness of the facility.