Machinex completes 3 MRF installations

With the growing demand for more efficient and sustainable recycling solutions, equipment manufacturer Machinex, Plessisville, Quebec, recently helped three new material recovery facilities (MRFs) come online. Each plant has been designed to enhance local recycling efforts and material recovery.

Machinex says the three projects, developed in collaboration with the city of Phoenix, Republic Services Inc. and Interstate Waste Services (IWS), integrate advanced sorting technologies to improve efficiency, increase recovery rates and support long-term sustainability goals.

The latest facility began operations two weeks ago.

Advanced technology in Phoenix

Machinex has partnered with the city of Phoenix to help the municipality achieve ambitious waste diversion goals of zero waste by 2050 and contribute to a circular economy by recovering valuable materials. The 30 tons-per-hour residential single-stream system, operated by Austin, Texas-based Balcones Recycling, features an integrated design aimed at maximizing recyclable recovery from curbside collections. The equipment maker says this initiative significantly increases recovery efficiency compared to the previous system.

The Phoenix system is engineered with Machinex’s Mach Trommel front-end solution; two Mach Ballistic Separators; the SamurAI sorting robot powered by the company’s proprietary artificial intelligence (AI) and; 11 Mach Hyspec optical sorters. The company says this configuration improves safety and efficiency by diverting small fractions early in the process, allowing for high recovery rates of materials such as paper, cardboard, high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, mixed plastics and glass.

“Having worked with the city for a number of years in different roles, I’m very familiar with Phoenix’s history of innovating in recycling,” Machinex Western Region Sales Manager Will Herzog says. “This new investment will push the city’s recycling program back to the forefront of recycling technology.”

Phoenix Public Works Deputy Director Eduardo Rodriguez echoes Herzog’s optimism, calling the MRF’s updated sorting system a game-changer. “Because the machines are so modernized, we’ll be able to capture more material with less contamination. We’re excited to have this technology to help us reach our zero-waste goal.”

Balcones President of West Operations Brent Hildebrand says his company is pleased to operate the Machinex-designed MRF, adding that “the installation and startup was seamless and exceeded our expectations in regard to how quickly we were achieving the desired results as contracted with Machinex.”

Upgrading efficiency for commercial, residential material

For Republic Services in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, Machinex says it delivered a significant upgrade to the MRF, which currently is processing 25 tons per hour of single-stream and commercial material. The upgrade was launched last fall.

According to Machinex, the facility is equipped with Mach Hyspec opticals and Mach Motion Floors, optimizing it for clean paper recovery and high-efficiency handling of various material streams.

Machinex says the upgrade further aligns with Republic’s commitment to sustainability by increasing throughput and improving sorting precision.

A compact, high-capacity MRF solution

Recognizing the importance of a system capable of handling both residential and commercial single-stream recyclables, Teaneck, New Jersey-based IWS partnered with Machinex to develop a solution for its MRF in North Arlington, New Jersey.

“As a recycling leader, Interstate Waste Services is always looking to partner with innovative companies to advance recycling efficiency,” says Mike DiBella, founder and CEO of IWS. “That’s why we’re excited to unveil the Machinex system at our new North Arlington MRF.

“This system incorporates some of the most advanced recycling technology in the nation, including an AI-powered SamurAI sorting robot and seven optical sorters that will significantly boost capture rates and commodity marketability.”

Designed to handle both residential and commercial single-stream recycling with a capacity of 40 tons per hour for residential and 20 tons per hour for commercial materials,the system includes key technologies such as the SamurAI robot and Mach Hyspec opticals for capturing different plastic grades and fiber.

The system also features other equipment, such as the Mach Ballistic Separator, two of the manufacturer’s two-ram balers, compactors, a film capture system, a Mach OCC and fines screens.

Factoring in space constraints at the facility, Machinex says it developed an efficient multilevel system, utilizing vertical space to maintain seamless processing and simplify employee movement.

“Our engineering team took full advantage of the building’s height, allowing efficient system design despite the limited floor space,” Machinex Eastern Region Sales Manager Rusty Angel says.