SINGLE STREAM RECYCLING

To produce each week's Sunday newspaper, 500,000 trees must be cut down.

Unlike the standard dual-stream approach where residents separate cans and bottles from paper, single stream recycling puts all recyclables in the same, larger container. The large bin and no separation make recycling simpler, faster and cheaper, thanks to automation and the advent of Materials Recovery Facilities.

For local governments that are struggling to keep their solid waste costs under control, single-stream recycling has become the recycling program of choice. Experience has shown that municipalities can increase their recycling rates by as much as 50% with a single stream program. The end result is lower landfill and collection costs for the community.
Additionally, there are many benefits derived from switching to single stream collection including:

• Multiplying the volume of recovered materials.
• Boosting the diversion of waste from the local landfill, extending landfill life expectancy and reduces disposal costs.
• Increasing recycling participation by residents and businesses.
• Allowing additional materials to be added to the collection system – for example plastic bottles 1-7.
• Improved worker safety through increased mechanization, which lowers worker’s compensation costs.
• Reduction of the number of trucks on the road, and thus a reduction in the noise and emissions pollution those trucks create.
• Creation of new jobs.

With single stream recycling, collection can be done manually by your local carrier, or by automated collection trucks. With automated systems, trucks use a mechanical arm to dump the big plastic tub into the truck, so drivers never leave their seats. At the recycling facility, sophisticated computer-controlled sifting mechanisms do the sorting.  It’s a whole new era in recycling!

One of the requirements for single stream programs is a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF).  A MRF is a large building, filled with conveyor systems that collect, direct and sort the different types of recyclable materials by commodity.  The system neatly packs the material into blocks, called bales, of paper, plastic, metal and glass. Once baled, the materials are shipped to domestic and foreign markets that are able to reuse the material to make new plastic bottles, paper and glass containers, as well as other products.

Single Stream recycling plays a leading role in creating more environmentally sustainable manufacturing methods and it renews the economic benefit of a marketable product returning to a shelf in a store, which translates into lower prices for consumers.

Corcoran Environmental Services is in the process of constructing a Materials Recovery Facility in Manchester NH. When complete it will enable communities region-wide to institute  single stream programs which will bring long term financial control of solid waste and sustainable recycling systems to municipalities that were never available before.