R U Recycling, a subsidiary of E Harper (York) Limited, is a reprocessor of glass into sand and aggregate replacements which has become a specialist kerbside collection operator in order to collect its own feedstock in addition to materials required by its partners.  

The company has been in discussion with Andela Products Limited of New York for some time regarding the installation of an Andela Commingled Separation System in the UK. The plant which has been operated in a number of locations within the USA takes a feedstock of commingled mixed glass, mixed cans and mixed plastic containers which it automatically sorts into the individual material streams whilst processing the glass into sand and gravel aggregate replacements. The first of its kind in the UK has been installed at Darwen, Lancashire. The plant which is capable of recycling up to 56,000 tonnes per annum of mixed containers is fully computer controlled and is operated by only 4 personnel per shift.

R U Recycling advocates a two stream collection system to best feed its process plant.

Stream 1 comprises of newspapers and magazines, junk mail and white telephone directories.

Stream 2 comprises of commingled glass, cans and hdpe and pet plastic bottles.

No further kerbside segregation takes place.  

In addition the use of the Andela plant, which requires no manual sorting, permits the use of compaction in order to facilitate extremely cost effective collection logistics.  State of the art compaction Heil Eurocycler collection vehicles (again the first of this type to be seen in the UK) have been specified in order to exploit the efficiencies brought about by compacted collections. Vehicle payload is increased by up to 450% as a result of the use of compaction.

The company, which has ambitious expansion plans, is already providing collection services to Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council and processing services to Rossendale, Bury and Bolton councils. In addition it is also willing to take direct deliveries of commingled glass, cans and plastics from other collectors and authorities.