Summary
Teoma is an established industrial automation service provider with extensive experience in the waste processing industry. This particular project is unique, but a part of an emerging trend to establish a local circular economy for materials recycling.
The need for this has been made apparent over the last three years in the Australian economy by a number of high profile incidents. These include large stockpile fires and the very public import restrictions placed on waste importation by a number of key countries in Asia.
The elevated awareness of global waste practices has negatively impacted consumer confidence in the way developed economies handle their waste and this project is working to rebuild that confidence. Partnering together the Cities of Charles Sturt and Port Adelaide Enfield, have made a commitment to recycling in South Australia.
In public releases, this facility is being touted as future-proofing South Australia’s kerbside recycling with a strong focus on reducing fire risk. By focusing on the development of a local circular economy the Central Adelaide Waste and Recycling Authority (CAWRA) plans to support employment and develop a supply chain for the reuse of common materials in downstream manufacturing.
This project has been heavily focused on waste stream purity, which will further support the industry with a reusable resource. Teoma has been happy to play a part in realising this project for the end client.
” This new MRF will enable both Councils to directly demonstrate to ratepayers how we process and sell our recyclable materials, so we can be more accountable to them about how their rates are spent, and where their recycling goes.” – City of Port Adelaide Enfield
Key Project Stats
Project Overview
Teoma was engaged by a long term waste industry customer for the delivery of electrical and automation services associated with the MRF’s plant operation. The team has been fortunate to provide their services to this OEM on at least 4 similar projects across Australia.
The Industrial Electrical and automation team completed the control design, build and factory test of control panels and the completion of onsite installation in South Australia. This Materials Recovery Facility in South Australia is a recent example of the team’s capability to not only deliver industry-leading automation and control services but also the capability to commission the plant interstate even during a COVID lockdown.
This MRF has been designed to effectively take the mixed stream of waste from kerbside recycling programs and break this down into separate, pure waste streams. These waste streams can be further processed by downstream manufacturers into new products. Once operational, this facility will be accepting recycling waste from an initial five council districts, with the option to add additional councils at a later date.
The system installed included two optic sorting lines, two baling systems and two compactors. These fully integrated systems provide a progressive solution to waste separation. With the consumer expectation for accountability around waste management growing in Australia, it could be anticipated that there will be an ongoing demand for projects like this in more metropolitan regions across Australia.
Services Included:
- Automation and Control Design
- Programming Services
- Control Panel Building
- Onsite Electrical Installation
- Final Project Commissioning
This project is similar to at least 4 others the team has recently completed including MRF’s in Darwin and Perth, with all following a similar format. This type of project is preferred by the team as it equally utilizes all areas of the industrial automation department without being too resource-heavy on either the engineering team, the panel building team or the onsite industrial electricians.
As with all projects of this scale, a relatively consistent format is followed by the team to maintain quality standards and to meet critical project milestones. When engaged to provide services on a project of this scope, the team works collaboratively with the client from preliminary design through to project completion.
This Material Recovery Facility represents a heavy shift in the way Australia handles waste products into the future. By retaining a focus for onshore processing, waste stream purity, and downstream product reusability, CAWRA is laying the foundation for a truly circular economy being established in South Australia. Teoma is fortunate to play a part in projects such as this, and we look forward to playing a small part in improving Australia’s environmental future.
