Large-scale recycling of municipal waste, scrap metal, and demolition and construction waste is a fairly recent phenomenon linked to the increase of wealth and urbanization. The first steps of organized solid waste management were taken in London in the late 18th century and then further enhanced with the introduction of waste collection regulations and incineration plants in the mid-19th century. A turning point for metal recycling was World War II, when there was a huge shortage of materials for warfare.
As the use of primary resources increases with wealth and urbanization, the concern for the sensible use and reuse of material grows. According to the UN, around 55 percent of the world’s population now lives in urban areas. The figure is growing quickly – and with it the amount of different types of waste. Recycling and a circular economy way of thinking are more important than ever. Today, we are seeing a rapid increase in the recycling of municipal waste, metals and plastics as well as construction and demolition materials. More and more process waste, by-products and emissions are considered as potential secondary raw materials.
Municipal waste is rich raw material
Municipal solid waste contains various valuable materials that can be sorted and sold or made use of, for example in energy production. Different components, like metals, plastics, glass, packaging fiber, organic materials, and paper, are mixed in waste and require processing and sorting before they can be fully utilized. The quicker and more efficient the processing phase is, the more valuable the municipal solid waste is as a raw material.
To process municipal waste profitably, the waste treatment equipment must handle many materials of different shapes and sizes. Rocks, stones, plastic bags, and other resistant components should not jam the production, and – despite variety in the material – the end product must be homogenous and optimally sized for further processing.
Increase in scrap metal types
In metal recycling, the variation of scrap material is increasing. In practice, this means that the relative share of traditional steel is decreasing and new materials, like plastics and aluminum, are on the rise. Scrap yards need to be capable of processing various kinds of feed material efficiently. Also, extracting valuable materials from shredder residue and recovering non-ferrous metals and plastics is extremely important in running a profitable scrap business.