Recycle, Reuse

The 2.6 hectare Pearsons Material Recycling Facility in Thetford boasts a recovery and recycling rate of 85 percent from the 130 tonnes of mixed commercial, industrial and domestic waste brought onto the site every day.

"To achieve this remarkably high percentage, Pearsons take a very different approach to sorting the waste," says site supervisor Sean Steven. "All the waste is hand-sorted on two picking stations before being segregated and further sorted by our Carmac LSU C1200 plant. This allows us to sort the material more accurately. Apart from food waste, which currently goes to landfill, pretty much everything else can be recycled. We recycle all the usual products, glass, wood, paper, card, plastics, metal, aggregates, green waste plus a variety of some really nasty products that other sites won't touch."

Steven reports that this tough operating environment places special demands upon the equipment, which is why they have entrusted its care to Pirtek Norwich and, more specifically, MSST Gavin Hancy. “Gavin is constantly on site replacing damaged hoses on the Fuchs handlers or the wheel loaders in the yard. We also have a KE Systems baler that requires attention from time to time,” he says. “But where Pirtek really comes into its own is on the Carmac plant. The constant movement and vibration takes a heavy toll on the belts and hoses of the flexdecks and trommels. Gavin plays a major role in maintaining the plant, coming equipped with just about every strange part, hose and fixture you can imagine to keep everything working. I can honestly say he provides the best hydraulic service we have ever had.”