Emerging Trend: The Shift Toward Single-Stream Recycling

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21 Apr Posted by Waste Recycling in Recycle | Comments

Renewable, Carbon Neutral, Energy System
how to recycle
Image by boston7513 Kevin
#1 Fuel pellet Hopper
#2 Floor Heating Zones
#3 Automatic Pellet Burning Furnace
#4 Boiler Tanks
#5 Turbine and Generator
#6 Water Storage Tank
#7 Supply for Automatic Lawn Sprinkler System

The Concept:
This concept is fueled by grass clippings, fallen tree branches, tree leaves, and any other combustible yard waste. This system is defined as carbon neutral, because the amount of carbon released into the atmosphere is equivalent to the amount of carbon sequestered by the organic process of growing. Unlike burning wood, this system is also a renewable source of energy. In New England, many tons of leaves, grass clippings and perennial plant wastes are produced on an annual basis and usually discarded. These waste products can be dried, shredded and compressed into fuel pellets with no need for harvesting entire trees.

NOTE: The carbon released by this system would be released by natural proses of decay even if it was not being used as fuel.

How It Works:
In this illustration #1 is the hopper where the fuel pellets are stored. #3 is the pellet burning furnace. #6 rain and snow runoff is collected in a large tank and delivered to boilers #4, above the furnace. Steam is created and cycled through the furnace, many times to extract the most amount of energy from the combustion system. #5 the gasified combustion exhaust gases are re-combusted and in combination with the steam, is used to turn a turbine for producing electricity. This electricity can be used on demand or stored in batteries. The steam exiting the turbines is recycled through the furnace ( reheated ) and then is directed to floor heating zones throughout the building #2. The steam condensates down to hot water and is stored in thermally insulated tanks for showering and cleaning. Surplus water can be cooled and used as pure distilled water.

This system would be ideal for a home or small business, and if your property does not supply enough fuel to heat and electrify your building for the entire year, I’m certain you could make up the balance by asking your neighbors or local landscape contractors for their waste, Free of charge.

In many communities throughout New England and other regions of the world, landowners pay to have these wastes removed. If your going to labor to cut grass, rake leaves, and collect downed branches anyhow. Why not use that effort to lower, or even eliminate your utility bills? How much do you pay for drinking water, hot water, heating and electricity? Perhaps you have had what you need to live this lifestyle all around you but your perception is that it is waste not energy!

Perhaps you are thinking this is a wacky idea, maybe so, but think of how many wood burning stoves are in operation today, and all you get is heat, and most of that energy is going up the chimney! How long dose it take to grow a tree? Do you have that many trees in your yard to make this a renewable resource? Or are you paying for the wood to be delivered? I think wood burning is a wacky idea!

"Not just whining about it, I have solutions!
My goal here and in life, is to be part of the solution, not a spectator!"
Kevin Moore

Read and see more of my ideas here
www.flickr.com/photos/kevinmoore001/sets/72157623631942524/

Blender 2.56a

Emerging Trend: The Shift Toward Single-Stream Recycling

Emerging Trend: The Shift Toward Single-Stream Recycling

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Home Page > News and Society > Environment > Emerging Trend: The Shift Toward Single-Stream Recycling

Emerging Trend: The Shift Toward Single-Stream Recycling

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Posted: Oct 16, 2009 |Comments: 0
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Single-stream refers to a recycling system in which all reusable materials are deposited into one uniform container. The recyclables are then collected by a waste hauler, equipped with trucks featuring automated mechanisms for gathering materials into one compartment. Post-collection the hauler transports the items to a material recovery factory for sorting and reuse preparation. The recyclables are then reprocessing by manufacturers into new commodities, such as, napkins, newspapers and office supplies.

The goal of single-stream recycling is to maximize diversion rates with economic efficiency. This process fosters sustainability as it diverts materials away from landfills, reduces gas emissions and conserves natural resources while effectively closing the recycling loop. The recycling loop distinguishes the usage, recycling, reprocessing and purchasing of products by consumers; establishing a continual chain of production for materials.

The execution of successful recycling programs utilizing one container requires the collaboration of material collectors, processors, manufactures and purchasers alike. A well organized channel of communication can produce positive program results; including the reduction of collection costs, decline in hauler injuries, convenient and uncomplicated means for item diversion, increased participation rates and an incline in the materials accepted for collection.

A way in which to maximize the advantages of a single-stream recycling program is by utilizing the correct combination, placement and usage of collection containers. Busch Systems, the North American leader of waste and recycling bins is presently the sole provider of mixed opening receptacles, which are ideal for one container recycling. The company has established itself as future friendly both in environmental initiatives and by evolving with emerging trends.

The Busch ‘Waste Watcher’ and ‘Smart Sort’ series effectively collect commingled recyclables, as well as, integrate into preexisted multiple-stream programs. They are space efficient, high density, cost-effective and utilize simplified sorting mechanisms. Currently academic institutions such as Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), have taken hold of the single-stream trend and have incorporated Busch ‘Waste Watchers’ with mixed openings into sixteen of their buildings with the intent to expand. The school hopes to advance its forty percent recycling rating with the one container recycling program and believes that the ‘Waste Watcher’ will produce the greatest results.

The single-stream recycling trend is also prevalent in such communities as the City of Toronto, Austin and Chicago. Following the incorporation of such a system these municipalities each experienced an influx in community recycling efforts. The Austin Chronicle discerned that, “In practice, single-stream has been a huge success: Austinites have increased their recycling by forty-seven percent.” However, it was also noted that there was a comparative increase in processing costs, a reduction in commodity pricing due to contamination and an increased down-cycling of paper. Experts in the recycling field have urged that such negatives do not outweigh positives, as all recycling programs have shortcomings; participants simply need to recognize them and find means to work with them. The Austin Chronicle concluded that the shift toward one container recycling proved viable through profit and overall effectiveness.

In conclusion, the single-stream recycling trend continues to evolve and take shape in various environments. Only time will determine its permanence and successfulness of reducing our carbon footprint. If present applications of the system are any indication of its industry station, than it is evident that this trend is the future of recycling and has the potential to bare tremendous impact on environmental preservation.

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Drew Dekker –
About the Author:

For information: www.buschsystems.com
Contact: Carla@netgainseo.com
t. (705) 797-2455

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Article Tags:
single stream, comingled, recycling container, recycling bin, busch, barrie

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