A Keestrack K6 scalping screen from Screenmasters Australia is at the centre of Austip Recycling’s sustainable waste disposal and management solutions
Reducing the amount of waste – household, commercial, concrete and demolition – that ends up in landfill, while maximising the amount that can be recycled, is what drives the family-run business of Austip Recycling.
The Sydney-based recycling plant is committed to protecting our environment by creating and using innovative and sustainable waste disposal and management solutions for its broad range of customers.
Turning used products into new, reusable materials, reducing landfill and the need to consume natural resources is core to its operation, and a key metric of its success.
“Our motto is sustainable waste for a cleaner tomorrow, which means we are trying to reduce products going to a landfill so we can recycle more and reuse these products,” Austip Recycling general manager Joshua Berardinelli says.
Austip Recycling deal with a variety of waste ranging from residents to T1 clients, building and demolition, VENM, ENM, brick and concrete.
Transformed screening capacity
The business’ Riverstone plant runs from 7am to 6pm daily, and while the previous equipment was up to the task, over time, the heavy demand was taking its toll.
Upgrading is a costly and potentially risky endeavour, and for a company as focused on sustainability and the environment as Austip, finding the right equipment to meet their exacting standards wasn’t easy.
That is, until they were recommended the Keestrack K6, and set up an on-site meeting with Screenmasters Australia’s national sales manager Ciaran Lagan.
“On my first visit to Austip, I had a look at their operation and what they were doing and what their requirements were,” Lagan says.
“Previously, they were utilising a trommel to screen out their C&D waste. They had a few difficulties with this unit, and I could see the benefits of running the Keestrack K6 in this application.
“The main advantage was that the unit was smaller, lowering their footprint within their small working environment. Plus, we were able to switch the fines conveyor from the left-hand side to the right-hand side, saving them more space.
“With the trommel they were using, they could only get a two-way split. With the K6 they were able to get a three-way split, further reducing the material they have to send to landfill, which is a huge cost advantage for them.
“During discussions, Austip mentioned many suppliers had stated that their material could not be processed without the use of a Flip Flow screen or Bivitec screen. Such a screen would clearly have cost considerably more than the K6, and in my experience was totally unnecessary.”
Screenmasters have placed multiple K6 scalping screens into waste applications with success, saving not only upfront capital costs but also offering significant savings in operational and maintenance costs for the life of the project.
The Keestrack K6 offers customers flexibility, so not only can it be used to process quarry rock and demolition material, but with some adjustments, the same machine can process waste materials.
For customers such as Austip, this means SMA can offer the customer the best outcome.
Sharing customer experiences
There were some reservations regarding the Keestrack K6 and how effective it would be for Austip’s application.
Through a relationship with other industry-leading companies who utilise this machine in C&D waste application, Lagan was able to put Austip Recycling in touch with them to discuss how effective the machine is, which gave Austip confidence in moving forward with the solution.
“I like to see the efficiencies get better in the business,” Austip Recycling operations manager Darren Parrington says.
“And by using the new K6 screen, we saw production increase and costs and downtime reduce.
“In the time it used to take to feed the previous machine and the split of waste that comes through, we now get two additional by-products out of the K6. And the amount going to landfill has reduced significantly due to the ability to more easily pick out the waste products.
“Some of the waste we get into the facility is quite challenging to identify and to sort out. Once it goes through the process of inspection and shredding, the screener works out where it goes, through the fines and then the 40mm and then the oversize conveyor.
“It’s made the process of identifying waste, easier and results in an impressive -10mm, 10–30mm and plus 30mm final products.”
As Lagan sums it up: “There were still reservations about the machine when it arrived, but as soon as it was up and running, those reservations were soon gone.”
Austip Recycling’s story highlights how a strategic alliance with an experienced service provider like SMA can play a pivotal role in driving business growth and sustainability.
The partnership demonstrates the potential for achieving reliability, efficiency and sustainability through the right equipment and support.
For other companies facing similar challenges, this offers a blueprint for what’s possible when innovation and collaboration come together.
SMA’s ability to deliver high-performance machinery and exceptional support has set the bar for what a true partnership can achieve in the recycling industry.
For more information, visit www.screenmasters.com.au or call 1800 571 464.
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