Turmec to equip MRF in Scotland

The city council of Glasgow, Scotland, has awarded a $20 million sorting and conveying equipment contract to Ireland-based Turmec.

glasgow recycling mrf
Turmec says the Glasgow MRF will have 50,000 metric tons of annual sorting capacity and “will form a cornerstone of the city’s renewed commitment to sustainability and modern waste processing.”
Rendering courtesy of Glasgow City Council, NRS, Property & Consultancy Services

Sorting and recycling equipment maker Turmec has been awarded a 15 million British pounds ($20 million) contract from the Glasgow City Council in Scotland.

According to Ireland-based Turmec, the Glasgow City Council Contracts & Property Committee approved the design and build contract for Turmec to equip a material recovery facility (MRF) at the Easter Queenslie depot facility in Glasgow.

Turmec will work with Eugene, Oregon-based Bulk Handling Systems (BHS) on the provision and installation of some of that equipment.

The award in Scotland comes shortly after Turmec announced its involvement in another sizable MRF project, having been chosen earlier this month to work with Australian ally The Environmental Group Ltd. to supply sorting equipment valued at $7.1 million for a MRF in Dunedin, New Zealand.

“Turmec is honored to be trusted by Glasgow City Council to deliver this project to meet its recycling objectives," Turmec CEO Geoff Bailey says. "Turmec is already the leading U.K. supplier of recycling solutions for the construction and demolition and commercial and industrial [recycling] streams; this award marks a significant milestone in Turmec’s ambitions to be the go-to supplier in the MRF market, too.”

Calling the Glasgow project a “major infrastructure project,” Turmec says the MRF will have 50,000 metric tons of annual sorting capacity and “will form a cornerstone of the city’s renewed commitment to sustainability and modern waste processing.”

The MRF is being designed to handle material emanating from a Charter for Household Recycling, through which Glasgow will collect dry mixed recyclables (DMR).

The collection process involves the use of separate bins for fiber (paper and board) and metal and plastic containers. The intention, says Turmec, is to improve the quality and quantity of recyclables collected.

“It’s great news that the contract for our new MRF at Easter Queenslie has been approved and we are now ready to take a major step forward with Glasgow’s recycling service,” Councilmember Laura Doherty says, who also carries the title of city convener for neighborhood services and assets.

“Recycling processors want high-quality, clean and easily sortable materials that allow them to create recycled products efficiently and effectively. The modern equipment to be installed at Easter Queenslie that properly separates the recyclable waste generated by our residents will be a game changer for recycling in Glasgow.”

The dual-steam fiber and container materials will be processed in the new MRF, which also has flexibility to process commingled DMR if required, according to Turmec.

Technology planned for the new MRF includes advanced automation, including robotic sorters and artificial intelligence- (AI-) driven optical sorting technology, to achieve high recyclate recovery and purity rates.

“Our partnership with Turmec represents a marriage of innovation and expertise, positioning the council at the forefront of material recovery and environmental responsibility and demonstrating our commitment to sustainability and achieving a circular economy,” David McCulloch, head of service for Glasgow City Council.

Grant funding for the new MRF is coming from the Scottish government’s Recycling Improvement Fund, administered by Zero Waste Scotland.

“It’s great to see progress on Glasgow’s new materials recovery facility,” says Stuart Murray of Zero Waste Scotland. “These improvements will support Scotland’s journey to net zero and help protect our environment for generations to come.”

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Turmec says it is “proud to support Glasgow’s bold step forward in sustainable waste management.”

“Along with our technology partner BHS, Turmec will be designing and delivering one of the most robust and technologically advanced MRFs in the U.K. using AI-controlled optical sorters, robots and a control system with the ability to adapt to changing material streams [that] will help Glasgow City Council to produce high quality recyclate," Turmec Associate Director of MRF Sales Trevor Smart says.

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