Can recycling plant

Types of can recycling plants

A can recycling plant is an industrial facility where used metal cans, such as beverage cans (aluminum or steel) and food cans, are collected, sorted, and processed for recycling. There are several types of can recycling plants with distinct capabilities and features.

• Centralized recycling facilities

  Centralized recycling facilities are large-scale industrial plants designed to handle the processing of various types of recyclable materials, including metal cans. These facilities often serve entire regions or municipalities and play a pivotal role in managing the recycling stream. They are equipped with advanced sorting, shredding, and processing technologies to efficiently handle a high volume of recyclables.

• Modular recycling plants

  Modular recycling plants for metal cans are flexible and scalable processing units. These compact, self-contained modules can be deployed in various locations, from urban centers to industrial sites. Their design allows for easy integration into existing waste management systems. Typically, modular plants incorporate advanced sorting and separation technologies to efficiently distinguish metal cans from other types of recyclable materials.

• Deposit return scheme plants

  Deposit return scheme plants are specialized recycling facilities designed to process beverage containers that have been returned through deposit return schemes (DRS). These containers often include metal cans, plastic bottles, and glass bottles. Additionally, these containers are collected, usually at retail locations or dedicated return points, and a monetary deposit is refunded to the consumer.

• Mobile can recycling units

  Mobile can recycling units are compact, transportable processing plants that can be deployed to various locations to facilitate the recycling of metal cans on-site. These units are designed to address the challenges of can waste management in areas that are typically far away from centralized recycling facilities or in regions that experience seasonal or temporary surges in can waste.

• Can recovery facilities

  Can recovery facilities are specialized recycling plants focused on recovering and processing metal cans from specific sources or locations. These facilities are often established to address the unique needs of communities, businesses, or institutions that generate a high volume of cans. Can recovery facilities are typically equipped with sorting and processing technologies tailored to efficiently handle metal can materials.

• Urban can recycling hubs

  Urban can recycling hubs are specialized processing centers established within or near urban areas to facilitate the local recycling of metal cans. These hubs are designed to reduce the distance that residents and businesses must travel to recycle their cans, making the process more convenient and accessible.

Specifications and maintenance requirements for can recycling plants

Can recycling plants have distinct specifications depending on the model and standard. Here are the general specifications.

• Hourly processing capacity

  The capacity indicates the volume of cans the plant can process per hour. Smaller plants have a capacity of 1000-3000 kgs per hour, while larger industrial plants can process more than 5000 kgs per hour.

• Dimensions

  Can recycling plants come in different sizes. For instance, portable plants can be as small as a container. An example is a 20ft container plant that is 6,058mm long by 2,438mm wide and 2,591mm high. Industrial plants are larger. For instance, a large shredding line measures over 17 meters in length. It includes an in-feed conveyor belt, a powerful shredder, a sorting conveyor belt, storage bins, and a gold detecting machine.

• Power Supply

  The power supply for can recycling plants is in kilowatts. Smaller plants with a compression unit use about 10-15 kW per hour. A large plant in a developed country that includes a shredder and sorter may use more than 50 to 70 kWh. The power usage is recorded in the energy bill, and it may vary based on usage. For accurate power calculation, it is essential to check the actual kW usage.

• Automation & Control System

  These specifications vary. In a fully automated plant, the control system will enable automatic sorting based on type, color, and material. It may also allow remote control and monitoring via SCADA systems. A semi-automated system will have manual intervention at some points.

• Types of Materials

  A can recycling plant will specify the type of cans it can process. Such details are crucial when setting up a recycling plant for a particular location.

Maintenance

These machines need some routine maintenance for uninterrupted operation and long life. Manufacturing companies often provide guidelines on the necessary maintenance and its frequency.

• Daily Routine Checks

  Technicians should do a visual inspection of the plant to identify any loose components, signs of wear, or potential issues. Conduct safety checks and ensure that the guards and safety devices are in place. Check the lubrication levels and top them up if needed. Check for and remove any debris or clogs in the recycling machine. Inspect and maintain the conveyor belts and shredding parts of the can recycling plant.

• Weekly Maintenance Tasks

  Cleaning is an essential task. It prevents the build-up of materials, which can impact the functioning of the machine. Check all fluid levels and top them up as required. Inspect the blades and check for any dullness, chips, or damage. Sharpen or replace the blades if needed. The guards, safety shields, and emergency stop buttons should be inspected to ensure they are in good condition. Do a test run of the plant to identify and resolve any potential issues.

• Monthly Maintenance

  More detailed checks should be done at least once a month. For example, technicians should look closely at all moving parts to check for wear and tear. They should check fasteners and bolts and ensure that they are securely fastened. Moving and rotating parts should be greased as per the manufacturer's instructions.

Usage scenarios of can recycling plants

Here are some common usage scenarios associated with can recycling plants:

• Municipal waste management: Can recycling plants work together with municipal waste management systems. The facilities collaborate with separate can collection and recycling processes. The facilities accept cans collected from households, businesses, and public spaces through curbside collection programs, drop-off centers, or dedicated recycling bins.
• Industrial can recycling: Can recycling plants play an essential role in can manufacturing industries and related facilities. These industries partner with the plants to ensure used cans are properly recycled. Instead of going to landfill, they get processed and recycled into valuable raw materials.
• Catering industry recycling: Can recycling plants provide an excellent service to the catering industry. Beverage companies, restaurants, bars, event organizers, and fast-food chains are significant contributors to used cans. Can recycling plants offer them a convenient way to recycle their empty beverage cans, providing a sustainable solution for handling waste.
• Community-based recycling programs: Can recycling plants serve as vital partners for community recycling initiatives. Local organizations, schools, businesses, and volunteers collect used cans for recycling. Can recycling plants become important facilities that accept these collected cans, ensuring the community's efforts have a proper recycling outlet.
• End-of-life Vehicle recycling: Can recycling plants cooperate with vehicle recycling facilities. These facilities process end-of-life vehicles and must handle the remaining parts appropriately. Beverage cans are one, including those made of aluminum or other metal materials. Can recycling plants ensure these vehicles' scrap metal parts are recycled instead of discarded, promoting a circular economy and sustainable resource management.
• Construction and demolition recycling: Some can recycling plants are capable of recycling construction materials. Although most aren't, it doesn't exclude the possibility that some are. When they are, they accept aluminum and metal cans mixed with other construction debris. Subsequently, they process them appropriately, extracting valuable metals for reintroduction into the production cycle.

How to choose a can recycling plant

When selecting a suitable can recycling facility for a business, it is important to consider different factors to ensure a good investment. In this case, the aim is to find a machine that can efficiently handle the existing waste cans.

• Tapernology and automated : Choose a plant with modern technology and high automation. Such a plant has a simple, efficient, low-energy waste recycling process, which lowers the operating cost.
• Capaicity: Choose a recycling plant whose handling capacity matches the expected volume of waste cans. A small capacity will create a backlog of waste cans, and a higher one will lead to higher operating costs.
• Adaptability: Choose a plant that can handle a wide range of aluminum cans. Such flexibility reduces the need for further investment in additional plants as more types of waste cans surface in the future.
• Quality of output material: A well-run can recycling plant produces recycled material of high quality. Manufacturers or suppliers of such plants have high expectations and standards. When integrated with existing supply and production services, they lead to higher profits. A low-quality output requires more processing and hundreds.Left to remain unprocessed, it could disrupt and damage the units already in use.
• Eco-friendly technology: Choose an environmentally friendly recycling plant, such as one that uses zero landfills or energy-saving technology. It will help reduce the business’s environmental footprint.
• Supplier reputation and support services: Choose a plant offered by a supplier with a good reputation and reliable after-sales support services. The recycling efficiency can decline rapidly if the machine does not receive prompt repairs, efficient spare parts supply, and necessary improvements or upgrades.
• Cost: The upfront cost and operating expenses of the recycling plant should be carefully evaluated. Higher efficiency plants usually have a higher initial cost, but they are more economical in the long run because of their operational efficiency.

Q&A

Q: What types of materials can be processed in a can recycling plant?

A: Can recycling plants are primarily designed to handle various types of metal cans, including aluminum cans, steel food cans, and aerosol cans. Some more advanced plants also accept other types of containers such as plastic and glass ones after proper sorting.

Q: Can recycling plants accommodate different can materials?

A: Yes, many modern recycling facilities are equipped to handle different kinds of materials. They usually have distinct processing lines for each can material, including metals, plastics, and glass, along with the necessary sorting, segregating, and reprocessing equipment.

Q: What happens to the cans after they are processed in the recycling plant?

A: Once processed, the cans are sent to specialized recycling plants where they will be reprocessed into raw materials. These materials may then be used to manufacture new products. For instance, aluminum cans are melted down and cast into aluminum billets, which are then used to produce new aluminum products, including cans.