Republic Services’ Anaheim (Calif.) Recycling Center completed its 100-tons per hour (tph) commercial and multifamily mixed waste sorting system, completing the second of a multi-phased modernization plan. It will be capable of processing 1,000 tons of material per day.

"Orange County has been at the forefront of sustainability practices for decades," Heath Eddleblute, area president of Republic Services, said in a statement. "This community was an early adopter of All-In-One Recycling, at home and work, which made recycling easier and enabled greater participation. Now, with the expanded commercial capabilities, we're positioned to bring durability to local recycling initiatives, and help our customers achieve their long-term sustainability goals."

The new commercial sorting system was designed by RRT Design & Construction and Bulk Handling Systems (BHS), and has been undergoing testing and optimization in recent months. It replaces older commercial recycling capabilities, and includes two, 70-ft. trommels positioned near the start of sorting operations to increase capacity and improve the recovery rate. The system was engineered to meet future commercial recycling demands in Orange County, and early performance has exceeded expectations.

The Anaheim Recycling Center comprises 250,000  sq. ft., and creates employment for more than 80 quality control personnel. It includes a learning center that offers visitors a rare view of the recycling process in an observation deck.

According to BHS, the mixed waste system features five Debris Roll Screens and is integrated with a 50-tph single stream system completed by BHS in 2012.

“When we designed the single stream system, we built in capacity and design features to process recyclables from the mixed waste system, particularly with our NRT optical line,” BHS CEO Steve Miller said in a statement. “Republic has embraced two processing philosophies in tandem to maximize recovery and help the community reach its diversion goals. They have executed on their vision and it’s fulfilling to see it all come together with the completion of this phase.”

In Orange County, Republic has more than 600 employees who proudly serve approximately 200,000 residential and 12,300 commercial customers throughout the communities of Anaheim, Brea, Chino Hills, Fullerton, Garden Grove, La Habra Heights, Placentia, Villa Park, and Yorba Linda. Republic has been serving Orange County for more than 50 years, and operates two hauling divisions, two transfer stations, two natural gas fueling stations, and two recycling centers in the area.