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Baling

 
forklift driver loading bales of recycled material into a container
By the end of the sorting process, separate storage bunkers will hold the different types of material. Here is the complete list:

  • cardboard
  • newspaper and pamphlets
  • other mixed paper
  • ferrous metals (that is, containing steel)
  • non-ferrous metals (such as aluminium)
  • glass
  • High Density Polyethylene bottles (such as milk bottles)
  • Polyethylene Terphalate bottles (such as fizzy drinks bottles)

Baler feed conveyor

baler – click on image to view it full-size in a new browser window
Each type of material goes on the baler feed conveyor in batches (except for glass, which is kept loose and sent to reprocessors). The conveyor takes material at a steady rate to the balers, where it will be compacted.
Balers – full-size image 


Balers

wire-wrapped bale – click on image to view it full-size in a new browser window
The balers compact material into huge blocks. These 'bales' – which are then wire-wrapped – are stored in a loading bay. Wire-wrapping keeps the bales from falling apart.
Wire-wrapped bale – full-size image 

Ready to go!

forklift with baled recycling material – click on image to view it full-size in a new browser window
Each separated type of material is now in bales and ready to be transported. Our partner Veolia Environmental Services sells them to reprocessors who recycle them into new products.
Bale on forklift – full-size image

Next: find out what your recycling turns into
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