Curbside recycling programs, drop-off collection sites, and multimaterial buyback centers - most consumers consider these programs their only choices for recycling materials. But there are other options.
Tri-State Recycling and Transfer operates a mixed waste processing facility in Galena, Kansas. Located in a 28,000 - square foot enclosed building, the facility takes in 200-300 tons of municipal solid waste each day. Recyclable materials are removed from the solid waste stream, processed, and sent to end markets.
“Because of the solid waste problems that exist, we need to bring waste into a new realm of processing,” said Duane Snapp, founder and member of the board of Tri-State Recycling and Transfer. “A mixed waste processing facility is the natural direction for solid waste to go. Recyclable materials do not have to be separated, and communities and waste haulers do not have to invest in recycling trucks. Instead, all solid waste comes here. It’s much more cost-effective.”
The recyclable materials that are extracted include: steel and aluminum cans; glass and plastic containers; several types of paper; corrugated cardboard; scrap steel, aluminum, copper, and brass; rags; and polyfilm.
The steel cans and other steel items are removed from the solid waste magnetically before the other materials, which are then hand-sorted.
The steel cans and other steel items are removed from the solid waste magnetically before the other materials, which are then hand-sorted.
Public service announcements have made consumers in Galena, Kansas aware that they are recycling “automatically” when they place recyclable containers in with their garbage. Consumers are encouraged to remove the steel lids from the glass containers so that the steel lids and the glass containers are more easily sorted for recycling.
Once sorted, the steel cans are baled and shipped to various end markets, where they are recycled.
Communities in the Midwest that are considering establishing waste processing facilities like Tri-State Recycling may be interested in a newly formed consulting firm called Duane Snapp Company. The firm was founded by Duane Snapp, former president of Tri-State.
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