Cleanaway Selects BHS for Large Commingled Recycling System
Highly-automated ‘super MRF’ to process 50 tonnes of material per hour

Perth, Western Australia – June 29, 2016 – – Cleanaway Waste Management Ltd has selected US-based Bulk Handling Systems (BHS) to design, engineer, manufacture and install a 50 tonne-per-hour (tph) Commingled Recycling system at the company’s new Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) in Perth. The highly-automated system is scheduled to begin operations next April.
The system applies a variety of advanced recovery technologies to achieve high rates of throughput, increase the purity and recovery of recycled commodities, and minimize labour. BHS Tri-Disc™ screens, including Debris Roll Screens®, are deployed to quickly remove the material’s high glass content, which is then purified by two Nihot Single Drum Separators. NRT optical sorters play a large role in maximizing end-product quality. Two ColorPlus™ optical sorters remove any cardboard from the news stream while six SpydIR® optical units target containers to both capture and control the quality of PET, HDPE and mixed plastics.
In total, more than 95 per cent of recyclable commodities that enter the system will be recovered. “This will be a world class recycling facility providing unmatched capabilities not only for households but also business and industry,” said David Williamson, Cleanaway General Manager, Western Australia. “Cleanaway was the first to introduce a MRF to WA in 1988 and we look forward to continuing to lead the way in recycling and landfill diversion,” Williamson went on to say.
Cleanaway will be able to process more material and recover a higher percentage of recyclables than it is currently capable of achieving with two antiquated systems that will be decommissioned as the new MRF comes online. “This project will see us replace our existing metro based Materials Recycling Facilities (MRFs) with a best-in-class, ‘super MRF’ which will deliver a capacity and capability, unmatched in the Perth market,” said Bhavna Torul, Cleanaway’s Perth Metro Branch Manager.
“Our commingled recycling systems continue to raise the bar in terms of automation and recovery,” said Alan Hoskins, Australia-based Director of Business Development for BHS. “This is an extremely exciting project for us, as we roll out our newest and most advanced technology featuring numerous process improvements.
Cleanaway is clearly committed to maximizing resource recovery. This is going to be an impressive system, one that the community can take pride in and one that will set a new standard of excellence in Australia.”
Cleanaway Waste Management Ltd is Australia’s leading waste management company, operating a national network of unique collection, processing, treatment and landfill assets from over 200 locations across Australia. Our philosophy is that all waste is a resource and we aim to incorporate recovery, recycling and reuse throughout our operations and those of our clients. Our mission is to make a sustainable future possible for all our stakeholders.
Bulk Handling Systems (BHS)
Headquartered in Eugene, OR, BHS is a worldwide leader in the innovative design, engineering, manufacturing and installation of sorting systems and components for the solid waste, recycling, waste-to-energy, and construction and demolition industries. Wholly-owned subsidiaries include Nihot (Amsterdam), NRT (Nashville, TN) and Zero Waste Energy (Lafayette, CA). BHS is also the home of Max-AI® technology, a breakthrough artificial intelligence that identifies materials, makes intelligent decisions and directs equipment such as robotic sorters. Clients around the globe choose BHS because of its experience, dedication to cutting-edge technology, quality construction and durability, and unmatched customer service. BHS has built some of the largest and most durable MRFs in the world – and they are achieving the highest throughput, recovery, and purity rates in the industry.