Single stream recycling is a system in which all paper fibers and containers are mixed together in a collection truck, instead of being sorted into separate commodities such as newspaper, cardboard, plastic, glass, etc. by the resident and handled separately throughout the collection process. Depending on the recycling program, commingled recycling systems may include just a few recycled materials or a wide range. This system allows customers to put all recyclables into the same cart or bin with no sorting. In single stream, both the collection and processing systems are designed to handle this fully commingled mixture of recyclables, with materials being separated for reuse at a materials recovery facility (MRF).

Commingled recycling can refer to the same process as single stream recycling or it can also refer to materials grouped together by category. Examples of materials grouped together by category are: office-grade white paper, colored paper, and low-grade paper collected together, or PET, HDPE, PC, and other plastic resins collected together, but still separated from other types of materials.

Mid-Atlantic Waste Systems provides all of the equipment needed for a fully operating single stream or commingled Materials Recycling Facility. To the right is an example of a custom engineered MRF. Contact us today at 800-338-7274 to learn more about this equipment and technology that helps keep our environment the best it can be!

Sorting and separation are central elements in the MRF system's functionality. MRF's have many ways of separating and sorting the materials that come through, such as:

• Ballistic Separation by the Komptech Brini
• Manual Picking Stations used for quality control
• Automated sorting systems (by MSS)
• Cross Belt Magnets to remove metals
• Stationary trommel screens to remove fine materials
• Eddy currents to separate non-ferrous metals
• Sorting bins for material storage before processing

Brini MK PDF  

Stationary Trommels PDF