Whenever possible, recyclables recovered from waste must be handed over or sold to the recycling sector. Its market value depends on economic interest as well as the quantity, quality and purity of the recyclables. Market assessments are needed to identify existing recycling initiatives, relevant stakeholders, selling prices and required quality and pre-processing.

Design Considerations

Before the sale or handover to traders, recyclables may have to be further sorted, cleaned or pre-processed (e.g. crushing, shredding or baling) to enable trading and enhance resale value. Large storage spaces allow the accumulation of larger quantities. This facilitates the efficient use of further transport means and the possibility of waiting until the optimum time to sell. The space can also serve as a showroom for interested traders. High-density plastics are ideally shredded into smaller pieces and lighter metal containers compacted. Both can be stored and transported in jute bags or industrial big bags. Crushed glass or metal can be stored and transported in metal containers. Paper and cardboard can be tied up into piles which are then, ideally, fixed onto wooden pallets. Piles of hydraulically compressed metals can also be stored and transported on pallets.

Materials

Sorting, pre-processing and storage requires a sufficiently sized, roofed and fenced facility. A table can be used to sort the waste. Conveyor belts for sorting are typically not recommended unless very large amounts of waste are being sorted. Different containers are required for the storage and transport of recyclables and to meet the requirements of traders. A weighing system, such as industrial floor scales or crane scales, is needed to monitor the in and out-flux of recyclables. Such recorded data can help in future negotiations with traders and in recycling market exploration. Pre-processing equipment may include shredders and hydraulic baling presses. Trucks and forklifts can provide internal transport in the facility. Further transport might be delegated to the trader. Regular high-sided open-top trucks used in construction can be deployed for bulk transport.

Applicability

The handover or sale of recyclables is predominantly limited to stabilisation, recovery, protracted and stable contexts as they require effective waste segregation and a functional recycling sector. The latter is unlikely to be operational during or shortly after emergencies. While the sale of recovered materials will not cover the overall operational costs of the SWM service, it can still contribute to lower costs and the cross-financing of its activities, while supporting the local economy. For these reasons, the implementation and improvement of waste segregation P.2 and the subsequent sale or handover of recyclables to a centralised facility should be continuously considered and evaluated by SWM service providers.

Operation and Maintenance

The sale of recyclables requires the continuous monitoring of the recycling market, including potential buyers, selling conditions (e.g. minimum amounts, pre-processing, packaging) and price ranges. Regular cleaning of the facility is required to avoid the accumulation of waste in an uncontrolled manner. Recyclables must be adequately stored to prevent odour nuisance and attraction of disease vectors. The use of pre-processing equipment requires regular maintenance as well as staff training.

Health and Safety

Safety precautions are necessary to limit the exposure of workers to waste, ensure safe equipment use and prevent injury, especially in the presence of (medical) sharps or when dealing with heavy loads. Personal protective equipment must be provided to operators involved in the handling of recyclables and staff must be sufficiently trained in occupational health and safety X.4. Facilities must have changing rooms and access to water for personal hygiene.

Costs

The cost of selling recyclables depends on the amounts handled and the facility size. Capital costs are mainly linked to land acquisition, the construction of a roofed and fenced facility with all necessary installations and vehicles and the equipment required for the pre-processing and packaging of recyclables. Operational costs are mainly staffing, water, fuel and electricity needs. Revenue might be generated from the sale of recyclables, which can reduce or offset the operational costs of the recyclable trading. Negotiations should be undertaken with recyclables buyers to cover any transportation costs.

Social Considerations

The informal waste sector is often involved to some extent in the collection and sale of recyclables. Creating competition with the informal sector must be avoided. Instead, efforts should be made to formalise the informal workforce and integrate it with SWM initiatives X.1. Establishing parallel recycling markets, competing with existing recycling sector actors and distorting local markets as a result, must always be prevented X.5.