Pioneering waste recycling company Norse Environmental Waste Services (NEWS), a division of the Norwich-base Norse Group, has developed a state-of-the-art in-vessel composting facility near Marsham, Norfolk. The site is fed by two JCB 436HT Wastemaster wheeled loaders, supplied and supported by local dealer Watling JCB.
The facility has been designed to turn up to 45,000 tonnes of green waste per year into a natural soil improver for local farmers. Food and green waste from local authority schools and roadside collections is composted within the facility in a 12-week process. The waste material is transported to Marsham by truck and tipped in the first half of the facility, where a 436 Wastemaster loads it into a shredder before transporting the material to the composting vessels in purpose built concrete tunnels.
Naturally occurring micro-organisms within the waste break down the material releasing nutrients and increasing the temperature in the tunnels to 60-70 degrees C. After this process has taken effect the material is removed from the first tunnel and loaded into a second tunnel, using the second Wastemaster loader, where the composting process continues. Finally the composted material is removed and laid in a maturation pad until ready for redistribution.
Both machines are used with a variety of buckets and grabs, depending on the material and the stage in the process. The 436 Wastemaster loaders are supplied with JCB Quickhitches enabling rapid changing of attachments. The machines are also equipped with P3 rated carbon filters for the cab air conditioning system. In addition the operators wear air-fed masks with additional filtration while working within the facility.
NEWS opted for the JCB Wastemaster machines as they have been designed specifically to work in waste applications. The availability of JCB's LiveLink telematics system also provides the company and Watling JCB with real-time operating information.
“During the planning phase we evaluated a number of machinery suppliers for this technologically advanced site,” says NEWS site manager John Tillbrook.
“The biggest reason for going with JCB was having the dealer so close by at Wymondham. We have the machines covered under a full repair and maintenance contract with Watling JCB and you know that you are going to get the back-up with JCB, especially for parts.
“The Wastemaster package was a bonus as both models come equipped with all the extras we need, such as high performance filters and Quickhitches. They are also supplied with LiveLink, which enables us and the dealer to monitor machine performance around the clock and to schedule timely servicing. An added feature is the integral tracking facility that allows us to set up a geofence and a curfew on the hours the machines work. In the event of a theft we would be immediately alerted by text. All in all we have total peace of mind with these machines.”
NEWS will handle up to 20,000 tonnes of food and green waste in the first year of operation at Marsham, and has already produced more than 3,500 tonnes of soil conditioner since the facility was opened earlier this year. The two JCB wheeled loaders, which remain within the composting buildings at all times, have already become an essential component in the operation, contributing to Norfolk's drive to reduce waste to landfill and increase recycling and re-use of materials across the county.
