In the UK, most of us are used to sorting our waste so that we recycle as much as possible. Glass, cans, paper, cardboard and certain types of plastic can all be recycled, with many local authorities offering kerbside collection for these waste streams. 

But do you know what happens once your recycling leaves your bin? Where does it go and how is it sorted? 

The latest government data shows that we are all recycling more than ever before. In England recycling rates among households climbed to 44 per cent in 2023, while in Wales it’s as high as 57 per cent. Northern Irish households also recycle just over 50 per cent of their waste. 

This means recycling plants are becoming busier and it’s essential that they can stay online and operate with minimal disruption to help them sort the various types of recyclable waste efficiently. 

One of the key pieces of equipment in any recycling plant – or materials recycling facility as they are also known – is the conveyor belts. It’s essential to carry out regular maintenance on this equipment and to know what to do in the event a conveyor belt needs repairing. 

How is recycling sorted?

In many parts of the UK, recyclable waste is collected together. That means as individuals we don’t have to separate our glass from our cans from our cardboard and so on. However, this does mean that recycling plants need a way to sort out what we put in our recycling bins once it arrives with them. 

Conveyor belts play a key role, helping to spread the waste out and separate it. The most important job is to remove any non-recycLable waste that has snuck into the bin, because this could contaminate the materials recovered and mean that they can’t be recycled.

Generally speaking, a vibrating machine is used to separate out the paper and cardboard, which can then be sorted manually into different types. From there, the recycling moves to another conveyor belt. Magnets are used to remove any steel cans from the recycling here. 

Then the conveyor belt continues where plastics are removed and sorted by type. Next, a different type of magnet picks up the aluminium cans. If all has gone to plan, what’s left will be glass jars and bottles, which fall off the end of the conveyor belt into a container. 

All this waste is then distributed to specific reprocessing plants that will turn the recyclable materials into new products. 

What causes problems in recycling plants?

Nonrecyclable pieces of waste can cause an issue in recycling plants because they have to be removed by hand and that can slow the whole process down. 

It isn’t just items that can’t be recycled at all that cause issues. Recyclable waste that is contaminated – such as a peanut butter jar that hasn’t been cleaned out or a greasy takeaway tub – also isn’t suitable and needs to be manually filtered out. 

This is why we all need to be mindful of what we put in our recycling bins and what condition that recycling is in. 

Of course, the other challenge for recycling plants is the volume of waste they handle and the variety of that waste. Common issues with conveyor belts include an accumulation of dirt, which can affect their operation, as well as misalignment of the conveyor belt.

Keep on top of conveyor belt maintenance

Given how well-used conveyor belts in recycling plants are, it’s vital to carry out regular maintenance on them. This might mean bringing in a dedicated conveyor belt specialist throughout the year to check the various components and advise on when they might need to be replaced. 

Cleaning the conveyor belt is also important to prevent a buildup of grime, dirt and other materials from affecting the various parts of the machinery. 

Dry cleaning methods like vacuuming are useful for day-to-day cleaning, while you may well need to use cleaning products and water at other times to keep your conveyor belt in good condition. Pressure washers can be especially effective for removing unwanted residue. 

However, if you use wet cleaning methods, be mindful of the moisture this can result in. If left without attention, excess moisture can get into other parts of the machinery and lead to corrosion. 

So, while cleaning your conveyor belts regularly is necessary, it’s also important to make sure you are using the most appropriate process for the job to prevent unintended damage. In many locations, cleaning systems are built into the machinery to save unnecessary delays arising from manual conveyor belt cleaning.