Solution installed to cope with success


A scheme to collect household plastic bottles for recycling, in Hyndburn, East Lancashire quickly turned into a headache for Waste Services Manager, Steve Riley when it became increasingly successful. With initial funding from DEFRA to supply and install a small MRF at the Council's recycling centre in Church, Accrington, Hyndburn Borough Council's waste services were able to handle cans, card and plastic. A picking belt and a fully automated sorter/baler for steel and aluminium cans were installed in 2002, along with a vertical baler for card or plastic bottles on the Church site, which also acts as a bulking up station for other recycling items such as glass and paper. Mr Riley explained: "Once we started collecting plastic bottles we quickly realised that the machinery couldn't cope with the massive quantity which was being collected from the public."


He contacted specialist plastic collection and recycling company, Plastics Recovery Ltd. to investigate the options for compacting the plastic bottles in a skip before removal. “We arranged for a trial compactor to be set up at their Preston premises with a view to establishing its suitability in compacting plastic bottles, compatibility with other waste handling systems on site and the practical and financial viability over the existing system. By incorporating the compactor into the system we are able to transport almost four tonnes of compacted plastic bottles in a single 35 yd3 skip trip, compared to the 3/4 tonnes which had sometimes been the previous, non-compacted payload,” explained Phil Strutt of Plastics Recovery Ltd.

Steve Riley says: ” The trial proved that compacting the bottle prior to transportation was by far the most economical method of handling the increasing volume of household plastic bottles.”

At the end of 2004, Plastics Recovery Ltd supervised the full installation of a compactor and feed hopper at the site, at no capital cost to Hyndburn Borough Council.

With each skip now holding up to four tonnes of plastic bottles and with only two skips accommodating all the bottles collected by the waste service crews, the system is proving to be a major success.

Draeger launches new personal monitor

Designed to meet the needs of short-term projects, the new Draeger Pac 1000 Personal Monitor provides an immediate alarm as soon as harmful concentrations of carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulphide or oxygen are detected. Offering 100 days of maintenance-free protection, without requiring battery or sensor to be replaced, it also provides three alarm functions and is easy to use.

Small, yet robust, and featuring simple push-button operation as well as a language-free, back-lit liquid crystal display, the Pac 1000 provides a clear readout of the hazard concentration during an alarm.

Two alarm points can be set

to meet the needs of different applications and, in addition to

a two-tone audible alarm, the user benefits from both vibrating and visual alarms.

A warning will also be issued in the event of instrument error and before the end of the unit’s useable life.

For maximum reliability, the display also features a bump test icon that informs the user as and when a function test is required.

Equipped with the new electrochemical Draeger XXS Sensors to ensure fast reaction and an immediate, accurate indication of harmful gas concentrations, the PAC 1000 meets the needs of IP65 and is easily fastened to workwear by way of a secure alligator clip.

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