GreenWaste Recovery updates its mixed-waste MRF

San Jose, California-based GreenWaste Recovery Inc. (GWR) has partnered with Bulk Handling Systems (BHS), Eugene, Oregon, to overhaul its mixed-waste processing system that was originally installed by BHS in 2008. That initial system was recognized by the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA), Silver Spring, Maryland, with a Gold Award for Recycling Excellence and was among the first of its kind in the United States. The overhaul has more than doubled the system’s throughput and added technology designed to boost recovery, product quality and degree of automation, according to a press release from BHS.

GWR is the second mixed waste system in California to operate with BHS’ Max-AI AQC (Autonomous Quality Control) robotic sorters, and its six robotic sorters are the most currently active in any MRF in the world, BHS says. Optical sorters from Nashville, Tennessee-based NRT work with four of the AQCs to completely automate container recovery. An AQC-2, which includes dual robotic sorters, is intended to ensure maximum recovery by capturing containers on the last-chance belt.

The system handles predominantly residential waste, expanding GWR’s processing capabilities and increasing the overall efficiency of material recovery facility (MRF) operations, BHS says. The 90-ton-per-hour mixed-waste system processes multifamily and single-family waste, recovering recyclables for reuse and organics for composting, helping reach or exceed local and state diversion goals. When combined with Z-Best Composting Facility, owned and operated by GWR’s sister company Zanker Road Resource Management Ltd., the system is anticipated to recover more than 75 percent of the material processed, BHS says.

“Since 1992, GreenWaste has worked diligently to find technology and solutions to prevent materials from going to the landfill,” says Tracy Adams, co-CEO for GWR. “We strive to provide the jurisdictions we serve with opportunities to remain ahead of the regulatory curve. As the state of California continues to demand higher organic material diversion from jurisdictions, the newly upgraded facility is one of the most advanced in the world and will further our ability to help the jurisdictions we serve to meet and exceed these new goals.”

“Sustainability is at the core of our business model, and our company has a history of offering cutting-edge technologies,” says Frank Weigel, co-CEO for GWR. “We have been offering garbage processing services to many of our jurisdictions for over a decade, and this new system allows us to expand the jurisdictions we serve, process more garbage and also increase diversion—a win-win-win.”

By combining the Max-AI units, the upgrades to the system’s optical sorting capabilities and the hands-on knowledge of the GWR operations team, the company now has the ability to expand garbage processing services to even more jurisdictions.

“GreenWaste is always out in front when it comes to processing a wide range of materials, including mixed waste, single stream, construction and demolition waste and organics, including anaerobic digestion,” says BHS CEO Steve Miller. “Recycling isn’t always easy, but GreenWaste and the company’s excellent leadership continue to push forward, always committed to innovation and excellence.”

Miller adds, “We thank them for their continued support of BHS and congratulate them on starting up another fantastic system that will set the bar for at least another decade.”