Revolutionizing recycling? Recology's new high-tech facility in Santa Rosa
How much of the stuff you put in those big blue bins really gets recycled?
Recology recently opened a cutting-edge 35-million-dollar recycling center in Santa Rosa, which the company says is a significant step toward sustainable waste management. The plant will process recyclables from 13 communities in Sonoma and Marin counties.
Typical recycling rates
Across the country, recycling rates have varied, depending on the materials and local facilities. Usually, 60 to 80 percent of materials in recycling bins are recycled, with the process's success depending on material type, contamination levels, and technological capabilities of facilities.
The new facility in Santa Rosa: A leap forward?
Employee-owned Recology says their $35 million facility in Santa Rosa significantly advances the recycling process. The facility is notable for its capacity and technology. “This plant gives customers peace of mind that the recyclables they put in their blue bin will be properly recycled,” says Logan Harvey, senior general manager of Recology Sonoma Marin.
The center features high-tech equipment, including:
Seven optical sorters use infrared light and air nozzles for efficient separation and contamination removal.
Computerized air sorters with high-velocity air blasters: These machines improve the sorting process, directing materials to appropriate lines.
The facility's 109 conveyor belts, totaling 1.58 miles, sort recyclables by size and type. Recycling workers at the “last-chance line” grab any plastic bottles that make it past optical sorting machines.
Enhanced processing capacity and recovery rate
The Santa Rosa facility can process up to 400 tons of material daily, nearly tripling the capacity of the previous plant. It aims for an 85% recycling recovery rate, up from the last 75%, meaning more recyclables will be repurposed, and less will end up in landfills.
The human element in technology
Despite the technological focus, the facility employs 35 full-time workers for quality control. Their insights are crucial in maximizing recyclable material recovery and suggesting operational improvements.
A model for the future?
The center, promising enhanced processing capacity and a higher recycling recovery rate, could significantly reduce landfill waste and contribute to a more sustainable future. Let’s hope this project lives up to its potential.
