Waste Handling & Recycling

Municipal solid waste (MSW), commonly known as trash, garbage or rubbish, is a type of waste that generally consists of everyday items, such as food packaging, food scraps, clothing, appliances, newspapers, bottles, yard waste, etc. McLanahan can provide material recovery facilities with solutions for screening, sizing and shredding MSW. Recycling equipment from McLanahan can cut maintenance costs, increase automation and maximize uptime for facilities utilizing single-stream recycling. McLanahan technology has been proven to divert MSW from entering landfills by sorting, separating and recovering valuable commodities.

Municipal solid waste products are items that are discarded by the public and need to be either manually or mechanically sorted for further processing at a materials recovery facility, also known as an MRF, or sent to landfills. The composition of MSW material can vary greatly from municipality to municipality based on the development of each municipality’s recycling system. Some municipalities require their citizens to sort their waste products, while other municipalities use a single-stream recycling system or a mostly single-stream recycling system. Single-stream recycling refers to a system that does not require the sorting and separation of recyclable materials. In single-stream recycling, both the collection and processing systems are designed to handle fully commingled mixtures of recyclables. Using single-stream recycling means that all recyclable materials are placed into one bin for collection by a single truck, including paper, plastics, cardboard, glass, aluminum, metals and more. Recyclables are then transported to a materials recovery facility, or MRF, where they are separated, sorted and sold for reuse.

Screening/Sizing

Efficient screening and sizing is key to an effective recycling program. Screening and sizing is the process of segregating the different components that make up MSW, and it is important for recovering useful and valuable materials. Screening and sizing reduces the amount of waste destined for the landfill by allowing recyclable materials to be given new life as different products.

Types of Screening/Sizing Equipment

Vibratory Screens

Sorting

McLanahan offers low-maintenance, high-efficiency screening and sizing equipment that sorts various MSW material. Our screening and sizing solutions reduce labor costs, as these fully automated systems completely eliminate the need for manual labor. McLanahan screening and sizing equipment is capable of separating 2-D materials from 3-D materials and of sorting materials like glass, plastic and paper based on color, heat resistance, composition and more, depending on the specific sorter. McLanahan sorters can be adjusted for different applications and materials.

Types of Sorting Equipment

Rotary Trommels

Shredding

MRFs rely on shredders to reduce the volume of bulky waste materials, and McLanahan offers shredding solutions to fit a variety of needs. McLanahan machines are capable of shredding a wide range of materials, including wood, rubber, paper, aluminum and plastic, to name a few. Utilizing McLanahan shredders on MSW has its advantages. Since shredders reduce MSW to a fraction of its original size, the material is much easier to handle. Shredded material that is destined for the landfill compacts better in the ground than the solid waste material, leaving less gaps and creating a more stable base for future projects. Biodegradable products that have been shredded will decompose faster than the non-shredded products. With some recyclables, like plastic, the shredded material can be sold or reused in a different way.