Temporary Storage Facilities

Generic information

Temporary Storage Facilities are used for the storage of recyclables prior to their sale to recyclers. Such facilities include minimal processing of the incoming material(s), since they receive recyclables coming from “multi-bin” collection systems (separately collected paper, plastic, glass, etc). In this sense, one can say that temporary storage facilities are MRFs (Material Recycling Facilities) of the simplest form.

Temporary Storage facilities include:

• A Reception Hall where trucks unload the materials on reinforced floor.
• A front loader that pushes the materials into a hopper that feeds a chain conveyor. This conveyor leads materials to the hand-picking line which is a slowly moving conveyor in front of the hand-picking personnel. Personnel stand on a metal platform of about 5 m above the floor level. This hand-picking line includes a minimum number of people and is intended for the removal of unwanted material from the source separated recyclate. Unwanted material is removed by the personnel and discarded in silos placed under the platform.
• At the end of the line (conveyor) the “clean” material is fed into either a storage container or into a baler press (in case pressing into bales is required, which is usual for paper and plastics). The press produces bales, whereas materials are strained together with the use of lags. With the aid of a forklift bales are stored to the storage area.

The entire plant is housed in a building with reinforced floor and metal roof. Lighting and electrical installations are required as well as a fresh water supply system for cleaning and fire-fighting purposes.