Alameda County Industries will add to its MRF sorting robot fleet.
Alameda County Industries (ACI) has expanded its use of EverestLabs robots in its materials recovery facility (MRF) in San Leandro, California.
ACI, which provides collection services of recyclables, organics and garbage for residential, commercial, and industrial customers in parts of that county, had an initial installation of sorting robots in July of last year.
Fremont, California-based EverestLabs says additional robotic units at ACI are scheduled for installation by the third quarter of this year. The robot provider says its units can “increase the operational efficacy of the plant by performing quality control tasks with 99 percent uptime, high artificial intelligence (AI) accuracy of 95 percent-plus and [an] efficacy rate of over 90 percent.”
“The EverestLabs robots are proving to be a useful technology,” says Chris Valbusa, general manager of the ACI San Leandro plant. “As a result, it allows us to position our personnel into higher-priority positions in our plant. It is a win for our team members and plant safety and efficiency.”
EverestLabs founder and CEO JD Ambati comments, “We truly appreciate that commitment of Alameda County Industries, led by plant general manager and partner Chris Valbusa. They are truly committed to continuous improvement in material recovery facilities and are a model to be respected and replicated.”
Separately, EverestLabs robots have replaced human sorters alleviating labor shortage issues in some of other large MRFs in the U.S., the company says.
An advantage of the company’s robots is their small footprint, which can expand the number of viable spaces for installing robots in a MRF, including incline conveyor lines, says EverestLabs.
The founder of an aerobic digestion technology firm says a global fertilizer shortage has drawn the world’s attention to the waste treatment technique.
The side effects of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have been numerous in the commodities market, and among them has been a global shortage of fertilizer.
With a key fertilizer ingredient produced in Ukraine (and shipments from Russia off-limits in much of the world) there has been a scramble to seek new sources of fertilizer.
Sim Eng Tong, the founder and CEO of Singapore-based Biomax, says the aerobic digestion waste treatment technology made by his firm is playing a role in that hectic market. In early May, he answered several questions from Waste Today Senior Editor Brian Taylor about his company’s role in the fast-paced market.
Waste Today (WT): What types of materials are the best candidates for aerobic digestion?
Sim Eng Tong (SET): Organic wastes such as human feces, all animal feces, food waste—which includes expired food and waste from food processing plants—sludge and biodegradable plastic products are the best candidates for aerobic digestion. Any other organic wastes would also be good candidates for this process.
WT: What end products will result from the process?
SET: Biomax has developed a breakthrough technology that converts organic wastes into 100 percent premium grade organic fertilizer at a high temperature (80 to 85 degrees Celsius, or 175 to 185 degrees Fahrenheit) within 24 hours. The technology, called the Rapid Thermophilic Digestion System, is the fastest process so far in the organic waste treatment industry. Based in Singapore, we are highly committed in our research and development [of] various enzyme-based solutions to support sustainable business operations. The end products (the output) will be a high-nutrient organic fertilizer, virus-free and with no foul odor.
WT: Why might an economy where fertilizer has become in short supply aid the spread of aerobic digestion technology? How long does it take to install a new system?
SET: Our breakthrough technology allows the organic waste to be converted to organic fertilizers in just 24 hours with a high temperature of 175 to 185 degrees Fahrenheit to kill off viruses and bacteria present in the organic waste.
Our digester machines do not use up too much space. In just 24 hours, a small digester can produce an output of 10 metric tons of organic fertilizers. Whereas a big digester can produce an output of 35 metric tons of organic fertilizers.
With our technology, we are confident that we are able to meet the supply for the shortage in demand.
The installation of the digester only takes five days upon the machine’s arrival at the client’s end, and thereafter it can officially start to operate.
WT: How would you describe current aerobic digestion capacity (globally), and how much potential for growth is there?
SET: Based on Biomax’s growth in the past 10 years, personally I feel the idea of going green has been rapidly spreading globally in recent years. First off, here in Singapore, the government is encouraging the green movement and starting to educate the public on how to convert waste into useful resources.
Our company also collaborated with many overseas companies that have come forth to Biomax to further understand our technology and how we can potentially aid them in the process of waste conversion.
Based on my own personal views, the growth and market for our technology will be fast growing and it will continue this way for a long time. Additionally, considering how many are starting to see the issue with existing waste management methods such as landfills—which are overflowing and have high carbon emissions—and incineration—which is extremely harmful for the environment and also releases high carbon emissions—we foresee that in the future more countries will be made aware of the waste problems and will be looking into resolving it by tapping into biotechnological methods such as aerobic digestion.
WT: What is the timeframe of the aerobic digestion process [materials in/end products out], and how does it differ from anaerobic digestion or other treatment methods?
SET: The timeframe for our whole process of converting organic waste (input) into organic fertilizers (output) will be 24 hours.
The process will be a one-input and one-output system, with a high processing temperature of 175 to 185 degrees Fahrenheit to kill off the bacteria and viruses present in the waste.
For an input of 15 metric tons of organic waste, you simply add 15 kilograms (33 pounds) of our BM1 enzymes to break down wastes such as animal bones, lamb heads, chicken corpses, etc. For a 15 metric ton input, the output will be approximately 70 percent of the input, which is about 10 to 10.5 metric tons of organic fertilizers.
The output will be hot, so once it is cooled down, it can be packaged and sold on the market.
Biomax’s treatment process differs from other treatments as we depend on our BM1 enzymes to break down the wastes (again, such as animal bones, lamb heads and chicken corpses). There is no further crushing or grinding needed, as our BM1 enzymes will be able to break down the waste as it is.
Both aerobic and anaerobic digestion are methods of processing biodegradable materials, mainly organic waste and involves the process of decomposition by biological organisms.
Aerobic digestion occurs in the presence of oxygen and can be a batch-fed process (to input waste only once, and the moisture requirement is 40 percent. Anaerobic digestion occurs in the absence of oxygen, and it is a continuous-fed process (to input waste material from time to time) and the moisture requirement is 100 percent.
Aerobic digestion produces compost, water, volatilized gas (ammonia, carbon dioxide) and the end product is called compost. Whereas anaerobic digestion produces digestate, biogas (methane, carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide). The end product is called digestate.
Aerobic digestion also has a shorter process (often eight to 10 days), but Biomax’s process is way faster with just 24 hours, as our aerobic digestion happens in a controlled environment (in-vessel). The breakdown process is also simpler, involving hydrolysis. Heat generated in the process is also sufficient to kill pathogens.
Anaerobic digestion has a longer processing time (it can be from 60 to 90 days), with a complex breakdown process involving hydrolysis, acidogenesis and acetogenesis. Heat generated in the process is not [always] sufficient to kill pathogens.
WT: At what stage in the process should a company like Biomax be consulted by a government or company considering aerobic digestion?
SET: In addition to the technological capabilities of our technology, for companies like Biomax to be consulted, we would require more data and feedback from our users to generate proven track records as good reference points for government bodies or companies who are considering aerobic digestion as a waste management method. On this note, I hope that more countries can be made aware and start using our technology internationally to create a greener planet such that this cyclical process can be kick-started.
The sensor-based sorting business has named Parker Bynum sales manager, USA West, replacing Nick Doyle, who has been promoted to key accounts manager, North America.
Sensor-based sorting specialist Tomra Recycling, Charlotte, North Carolina, has announced the appointment of Parker Bynum as the new sales manager, USA West, covering the waste and recycling industry. In this role, Bynum will consult directly with Tomra partners and customers to implement advanced sorting technology solutions designed to improve recycling recovery rates, increase product purity and throughput, and boost profitability.
He takes over for Nick Doyle, who has been promoted to key accounts manager, North America, a newly created position.
“I’ve personally known and worked with Parker for several years and have experienced first-hand his unrelenting passion for recycling and advancing the circular economy, as well as his strong work ethic,” says Ty Rhoad, regional director Americas at Tomra Recycling. “Over the years, Parker has built a vast network of industry connections who respect his dedication to doing whatever it takes to ensure their success.”
Bynum brings to Tomra Recycling more than a decade of industry and related sales experience. He has served as business development manager with industry giant WM’s hauling sector in the southern region, establishing the company’s recycling services. He also worked for Rehrig Pacific Co. for four years where he was an outside environmental sales representative to municipal and private hauling companies throughout a six-state region.
“Tomra is a global organization with thousands of installations worldwide,” Bynum says. “This gives me the opportunity to take the best recycling practices from various markets and apply them to the western region territory. As the recycling industry continues to grow, so too does the need for further sorting automation with Tomra technologies, and I am eager to customize these best practices for my customers’ specific sorting needs. I look forward to building on Nick’s success, and I see potential for emerging markets like wood and textile recycling.”
Doyle moves to key accounts
Doyle’s new position as key accounts manager, North America, expands the company’s level of support, tasking him to work more closely with large recycling operations and provide customized solutions designed to fit the unique needs of customers with multiple systems working at various locations throughout North America. He will also lead the charge in developing the emerging wood and textile markets, as well as other rising niche segments.
“Nick has done a tremendous job developing the western region for Tomra Recycling and has established great relationships with both smaller and larger recycling operations,” Rhoad says. “His previous experience with a plant builder plus these last four years with Tomra afford him a deeper understanding of optical sorting technologies, as well as entire recycling processes. These unique qualifications will allow Tomra Recycling to better assist our key account customers’ sorting needs and lead the charge on emerging markets.”
To support their customers, Bynum and Doyle will work from their field offices. Bynum will operate out of Portland, Ore. and may be reached at 916-908-9085 or Parker.Bynum@Tomra.com. Doyle will continue to work from his Los Angeles office and can be reached at 916-215-9215 or Nick.Doyle@Tomra.com. Both will be among Tomra Recycling’s representatives at WasteExpo in Las Vegas from May 10 to 12 at booth No. 3527.
After being acquired by Merdian Waste in 2017, the president and a co-conspirator embezzled money from Merdian to make repayments on private loans.
The former president and COO of a Petersburg, Virginia-based hauling company is facing prison time following a guilty plea that he and a co-conspirator tried to defraud private lenders and banks out of more than $8.8 million.
In a Richmond federal courtroom, Robert Wayne Guidry, 54, was convicted of one count each of tax fraud, and wire and bank fraud, reports the Progress-Index. Guidry will be sentenced Sept. 7.
According to Eastern District of Virginia Court records, Guidry, along with Christopher W. Elko, sold ownership interests in Container First Services Inc. (CFS)—a company they developed with six other partners—to Charlotte, North Carolina-based Meridian Waste. The records indicate the pair also obtained loans under false pretenses and embezzled money from Meridian to make repayments, according to the Progress-Index.
“As part of the conspiracy, Guidry solicited and induced individuals to lend him money under false pretenses, claiming that the loans would be used for investment purposes—when, in fact, Guidry actually used the money to pay for personal expenses or to repay other lenders," a court statement says.
“For instance, the conspirators diverted customer payments owed to their employer to a bank account controlled by the conspirators, and fabricated payables to their employers’ vendors and others, depositing the payments into bank accounts they controlled,” the court adds.
Elko, 51, of Petersburg, was the former finance director for CFS and later Meridian. He pleaded guilty last year to similar charges and was sentenced to two three-year terms to be served concurrently.
The maximum time Guidry faces when he is sentenced in September is 30 years.
Matt Breight, who will lead the group, has been with the company since 1998.
Comerica Bank, Dallas, has announced the expansion of its environmental services department (ESD) through a new group dedicated to growing and supporting Comerica’s renewable energy business. Matt Breight, senior vice president and ESD group manager, has been appointed to lead Renewable Energy Solutions. He reports to Joe Ursuy, senior vice president and director of environmental services.
Breight has been with Comerica since 1998. Before becoming vice president in 2013, he served as a relationship manager within the small business, middle-market and environmental services departments. As group manager, his team worked with growing companies in the U.S. and Canada that collect, transport, treat, recycle, process and dispose of various types of waste. This includes solid, recyclables, e-scrap, hazardous, liquid and landfill gas. Breight holds a Bachelor of business administration from Western Michigan University.
Since the department's founding in 2006, Comerica says its ESD has seen significant achievements in the renewable energy space. In recent years, its experience in financing landfill gas and biomass naturally has evolved into financing independent renewable energy generators for other forms of renewables, including those involved in the solar, wind and anaerobic digestion industries.
"Over the past decade, we have developed deep industry expertise within ESD supporting companies that produce renewable energy from certain sources like landfill gas,” Ursuy says. “While waste and recycling remain ESD’s steadfast foundation, we feel it makes sense to target the broader renewable sector with our proven relationship banking model, combined with a strong leader in Matt.”
The bank says it will continue to invest in both the waste and recycling business along with the renewable energy group. Clients will experience no changes in the service they receive, Ursuy says.
Comerica also will continue to support and collaborate with associations and nonprofits such as The Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas and the Environmental Research and Education Foundation to advance sustainability and improve industry practices.
By consolidating related efforts from across the organization under one umbrella, the Renewable Energy Solutions group also allows Comerica to better align credit resources. This includes underwriting and approval, driving greater organizational consistency and benefiting its broader sustainability objectives by driving green loan growth and improving the accuracy of data related to its renewable efforts.
“Comerica, a longtime member of the Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas, has a proven track record when it comes to ethics, commitment to and expertise in working with renewable energy businesses,” says Johannes Escudero, founder and CEO of the Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas. “I am excited to see this increased investment in the renewable energy industry, as I envision it will further help support our goal of ensuring present and future generations will have access to domestic, renewable, clean fuel and energy.”
Comerica Bank says it is committed to protecting and preserving the environment to help communities and the planet thrive. In 2020, the bank established an ESG council, the purpose of which is to deliver strategy and programs to maintain Comerica’s ESG leadership among peers and within the financial industry.
Last year, Comerica established its new Office of Corporate Responsibility, to protect and preserve the environment; diversity, equity and inclusion; and community service.