Leading footwear distributor

Requirements

3B Recycling have been working closely with a leading footwear distributor to develop and implement waste management streams at their new 323,000 sq ft distribution centre. These initiatives have been focussed predominantly upon the agreed targets of:

– Reducing labour expenditure

– Eliminating unnecessary disposal costs

– Generating new revenue streams (via high rebates for cardboard)

– Quantifiable positive environmental impact

Solutions

After completing preliminary waste audits with site, it was identified that the volume of cardboard generated on site was exceeding the capacity of the incumbent skip services. This consequentially lead to backlogs of material, costly transport and disposal costs and ineffective recycling practices, with cardboard waste ‘overflowing’ into other waste streams. Considering this, three strategic interventions were decided upon to initiate progress towards the above targets:

1. Installation of semi-automatic horizontal mill sized baler for cardboard waste.

3B Recycling installed a semi-automatic horizontal mill size baler on site with bin tipper and cage. This machine was tailored to site specific requirements, installed, and rented to site free of charge. Installing this machine has allowed site to process cardboard waste into circa 450kg mill sized bales whilst minimising operator labour and maximising operator safety.

2. Stand trailer collection service.

A stand trailer collection service has been provided to site FOC since inception. This helps site to manage external space and to keep material clean and dry for collection. This further reduces labour expenditure loading material and allows for quick and efficient collections.

3. Installation of site tailored internal bins to improve segregation.

A total of 24 colour coded 1100 litre bins were provided to site, fitted with material specific signage and side trunions for use with the horizontal balers bin tipping mechanism. This has lead to improved segregation on the warehouse floor, leading to a higher percentage of cardboard being recycled.