Caterpillar Performance Handbook, January 2017, SEBD0351-47

Material Recovery Facilities, Sorting, and Transfer Stations

Waste Handling MRF’s, Sorting and Transfer Stations

MRF’s, Sorting and Transfer Stations Applications There is a wide range of variability in MRF, Sorting and Transfer Station applications and operations. Depend- ing on facility size, amount of material handled, type of station, etc. a wide variety of mobile equipment could be utilized. In all the facilities mentioned above, materials are tipped by residential or commercial vehicles on to a tip platform or tip floor area. The materials are stockpiled then loaded into hoppers, conveyors, or a haul vehicle. Wheel loaders and excavators (tracked or wheeled) are the primary equipment for stockpiling, loading, sorting, topping off loads, and ‘tamping’ material into the haul vehicles. “Volumetric consolidation of material” (normally in Transfer Station applications) is a method of compres- sion and shredding that helps reduce the size of the waste loaded into a haul vehicle. It helps maximize the allow- able weight carried by each haul unit. Common machines used for material consolidation are, track-type tractors, track loaders and compactors. These machines are equipped with track shoes or tips/teeth that help in shred- ding, compression, and reduction of the volume of waste. In most instances, machines performing the material consolidation/reduction are aided by a wheel loader or excavator. For all applications within MRF’s, Sorting, Recycl- ing, and Transfer Stations, there is normally support equipment aiding the primary equipment. Small and compact loaders and excavators, backhoe loaders, skid steer loaders, and fork lifts, are just a few of these machines being utilized.

Primary Roles ● MRF’s (Material Recovery Facilities) Sorting and Recycling Stations are designed to divert recyclable materials from the waste stream. Depending on whether the material is single stream, co-mingled, or pre-sorted, the goal is to divert recyclable material for re-consumption thus lowering the amount of waste placed in a landfill. The natural life of the land- fill will be extended by this action. Additional sav- ings of hauling costs can be realized by recovering/ recycling materials close to the source (at the MRF or Transfer Station). ● Transfer stations, are designed to consolidate the loads of several residential vehicles in to long-haul vehicles such as rail cars, transfer trailers, barges, and ISO con- tainers. On an average 2–5 inbound loads or more (depending on method of haul) can be consolidated into one outbound load. As a result, transfer stations offer cost savings over direct haul to landfills. A well-coordinated recycling program will reduce volume going to the landfill by 50% or more. Trends are towards sorting and 1 of 2 types of MRF’s. ● Dirty MRF — A dirty MRF accepts mixed waste, (normal household waste that has not been separated) that later may be sorted for recycling. Recoverable/ recyclable materials are sorted either by hand or auto- mation or a combination of the two. The materials are either baled and/or are hauled to a plant/industry that will utilize the recovered goods. ● Clean MRF — A clean MRF accepts source sep- arated materials from residential or commercial sources. These are normally delivered in separate collection vehicles. As in the ‘dirty’ MRF, materials are either sorted by hand, automation, or a combi- nation of both, baled and/or are taken to someplace that will recycle or utilize the recovered goods. ● Sorting Stations — Some transfer stations are designed for some waste diversion from mixed streams and are normally described as ‘sorting stations.’ MRF’s (Material Recovery Facilities), Sorting Stations, Recycling Stations

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