Chapter-3

Lecture 3
4. Separation, Processing and Transformation

 Sorting of commingled (mixed) wastes usually

occurs at a materials recovery facility, transfer
stations, combustion facilities, and disposal
sites.
• Sorting often includes
the separation of bulky items,
separation of waste components by size using
screens,
manual separation of waste components,
separation of ferrous and non-ferrous metals
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• Waste processing is undertaken:
• to recover conversion products and energy
• transform organic fraction by
 biological process - aerobic composting
 chemical process – combustion/incineration
• Transformation processes are used
• to reduce the volume, weight, size or toxicity of
waste requiring disposal without resource recovery.
• size reduction by shredding
• volume reduction by compaction and combustion

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5. Transfer and Transport
• The functional element of transfer and transport involves two
steps:
i. the transfer of wastes from the smaller collection vehicle to
the larger transport equipment and
ii. the subsequent transport of the wastes, usually over long
distances, to a processing or disposal site. (i.e when disposal
sites are far from point of collection)
• The transfer usually takes place at a transfer station .

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6. Disposal
Land filling or Dumping
Incineration/combustion
• Combustion is the controlled burning of waste
in a designated facility to reduce its volume
and, in some cases, to generate electricity.
• These activities are used to manage waste that
cannot be prevented or recycled.

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