Waste Separation: From Waste to Resources

We understand it takes more effort but…

Why do we separate our waste? The main goal of separating waste is to reuse materials. When waste streams don’t mix with each other, they stay suitable for recycling of raw materials. By separating waste you can also save costs, you take your social responsibility and contribute to realise a circular economy. And we are doing good! 81% of our employees separate their waste the correct way.

What will be made with…

Plastic packaging The material will be shredded, cleaned, melted together and transformed into granules (grains). The granule is raw material for new products like jerrycans, fleece-sweaters, toys, garden chairs, pipes, and tubes.

Drink cartons In the recycling plant, paper (cardboard fibers), plastic, and aluminum are recovered from the packages. These are valuable raw materials for new products such as office supplies (made from paper and cardboard), crates, buckets, or aluminum tubes.

Metal packaging In the sorting plant, both aluminum and steel are separated from the other packages using magnets and eddy currents. The material will melted and can re-enter the production process as raw material. This way, we save iron ore and bauxite as well as the energy needed to extraction and production. Did you know? Producing aluminum requires a whopping 20 times more energy compared to reusing and remelting aluminum.

Organic waste (GFT) The organic waste is first checked to see if it is clean enough. Then the organic waste is sieved and taken to the digestion plant. During digestion, biogas is produced, a gas that gets locally converted into green electricity. Like this, energy is generated from our own green waste. After this process, the organic waste is composted; the composting process takes about six to seven weeks. Compost is then used as fertilizer in agriculture and horticulture and by gardening companies, as well as in private gardens. Compost and biogas can be made from organic waste.

From paper to pulp and new paper By dissolving paper in water after cleaning and sorting, it becomes paper pulp: fiber-free. Pollution like tape, paperclips and staples are removed. When white paper is being made of fiber pulp, the pulp will be deinked and bleached. Pulp made from old paper is grey because of the printing ink. After that, the pulp, will be processed into new paper and cardboard in the ratio of 1% fibers and 99% water by the paper and cardboard machine. After drying, the product is ready.