In Fairbanks, refuse has its uses

Fairbanks and the surrounding Fairbanks North Star Borough (FNSB) are embarking on a two-pronged refuse recycling and utilization initiative that will handle most of the city's 200 tpd. Fairbanks's wastes are going to be turned into refuse-derived fuel (RDF) in order to extend land fill life and recycle and make use of as much as 90% of residential wastes. The problems faced by two firms in developing systems to handle waste processing are discussed. A description is given of a process in which wastes are dumped ont a concrete pad at one end of the building and presorted; recyclable materials are removed. In the trommel, heavy items are ejected, while the lighter plastics and paper materials pass through to an open conveyor. Here, employees handpick aluminum and other materials from the wastes. The remaining refuse is pushed onto a conveyor that carries it through the building's outer wall to a slow-speed shredder. A large fan blows the shredder's output into the trommel.