Substantial co-investment by Manchester-based plastic recycling specialist Axion Consulting and European logistics giant TDG will see more than a million HDPE (high density polyethylene) chemical drums and containers recycled every year.
The fully-integrated take-back scheme involves TDG collecting waste cleaning agent containers which are then recycled back into high-grade HDPE resin at Axion’s processing facility. Launched in May, the innovative scheme offers genuine environmental and economic benefits to both partners who hope it will inspire other companies to follow their lead.
Axion Consulting, a division of plastics recycler Axion Recycling, developed the technical solution and provided technical support for the design, layout and project management for a shredding and washing unit within TDG’s existing tanker cleaning and effluent treatment plant at their Batley site, near Leeds.
End-of-life 25 and 200 litre detergent drums and 1,000 litre IBCs (intermediate bulk containers) are shredded and washed to reduce volume and remove any residues, before being shipped to Axion’s Salford processing plant. Here the polymer is recycled into high-grade pellet and clean chip for re-use in new products, such as new drums or applications for the automotive industry.
The plant went live in May – around 18 months after Axion first approached TDG with the integrated collection and recycling concept – with the first batches of material currently undergoing processing and testing at Axion’s specialist facilities. The agreement is structured on a joint-venture basis, so both companies share in returns from the project.
Axion Director Roger Morton says tracking individual drums using TDG’s sophisticated computer system is key to making the whole ‘responsible recycling’ scheme work.
“This means we can be certain of what’s been in the drums before they get shredded so we can ensure the polymer is safe when it’s recycled,” he explains. “Demand is high for HDPE and we’ve had a lot of interest from the packaging sector, which is keen to minimise its carbon impact and reduce cost by using high grade recycled content in new containers.”
For TDG, recycling its end-of-life containers offers a significant environmental and alternative disposal route, as well as an added-value service to their customers, differentiating them other haulage companies.
According to Ann Dawson, TDG’s General Manager for Tank Cleaning and Industrial Packaging Operation at the Batley site, it is the first open-market recycling scheme undertaken by the company. It is also setting up similar packaging recycling schemes to operate alongside it with two other major commercial cleaning and hygiene services customers, Johnson Diversey and Ecolab.
“We’re delighted to be involved as we strongly believe in this recycling concept that makes sound environmental and economic sense for all,” comments Ann. “Offering this ‘one-stop shop service’ helps our customers with a viable disposal service for their old containers and prevents a lot of recyclable waste going into landfill as just one 25 litre container generates 1 kg of HDPE.
“We strongly believe in this concept and are also actively encouraging other drum manufacturers to use recycled content in new containers.”
Axion Consulting develops and operates innovative processing solutions for recycling waste materials. This division was created in response to increased demand from a wide range of clients within the recycling and process industries for practical development of new processing and collection methods.
For more information contact;
Axion Consulting, Bramhall, Stockport, Cheshire
Tel: 0161 426 7731/ Fax: 0161 426 7732
Email: info@axionconsulting.co.uk
Web: www.axionconsulting.co.uk
