Frequently Asked Questions on Recycling

What is a Materials Recovery (or Recycling or Reclamation) Facility (MRF)?

A specialist plant which separates, processes and stores materials that can be recycled (recyclables) which have been collected either separately from waste - a 'clean' MRF - or mixed in with it (co-mingled) - 'dirty' MRF. Recycled materials are then sent on to reprocessing and any unusable material not suitable for processing goes for disposal. Mac Nabb Bros (Waste Disposal) Ltd operate a Materials Recycling Facility on the outskirts of Downpatrick. This location encompasses 56,000 sq feet of undercover operating space plus a comparable secure outside storage area. The site is secured by high level fencing, an ADT fitted Alarm System and 24 hour CCTV surveillance.

What waste streams are processed by Mac Nabb Bros (Waste Disposal) Ltd at their Materials recycling Facility (MRF)?

All non-domestic waste collected by Mac Nabb Bros (Waste Disposal) Ltd in their fleet of trucks and skip lorries is transported to the Materials Recycling Facility at Killough to be processed. Once the waste is tipped into the covered stockpiling area, a dedicated team of waste operatives set about segregating the larger dry recyclables such as cardboard, wood (treated and non-treated), paper, and plastics, as well as the ferrous and non ferrous metals and green waste, at this time big pieces of aggregate are also separated out.

The remaining waste is then loaded into their state-of-the-art Trommel’s large capacity hopper. This is then tromelled and screen separated by the machine and conveyed through a picking station for final sorting (by another team of waste operatives), and thence into various skips. Fines, rubble, timber, ferrous and non-ferrous metals, board and paper all fall into separate concrete bays beneath the conveyor line. The Trommel and picking station has been installed at high level in a specially designed and built covered structure which not only allows all-weather operation, but also reduces noise and dust levels, the latter being reduced further by dust suppression systems.

What percentage of the waste entering the MRF is 'recycled or recovered'?

After processing and separating, around 85% of the total materials are recovered for reuse. Fines are used as topsoil, the timber is fragmentised for chipboard manufacture and animal bedding; cardboard, and paper is baled and sold on to paper processors for pulp (Mac Nabb Bros (Waste Disposal) Ltd recently purchased a large Excel Baler from the United States capable of baling in excess of 750 kilo bales); plastic sheeting is also baled and sold on for reuse, alloys and ferrous metals go on to the metal recycling yards; and rubble is crushed, screened and cleaned for use amongst other things as hard fill and within drainage systems.

What is Duty of Care?

The concept of Duty of Care was incorporated in the 1990 Environment Act; essentially ensuring that everyone dealing with waste, from production to storage to transportation, must take all reasonable steps to ensure that the waste is handled by licensed groups/sites, and must prevent pollution or harm to anyone. The duty is enforceable by law and can result in unlimited fines if broken. A handy guide on Duty of care is available from Mac Nabb Bros (Waste Disposal) Ltd.

What is Landfill Tax?

The tax imposed on waste disposal authorities and groups that dump household, industrial or commercial waste at landfill sites. Introduced on the 1st October 1996 at £7 per tonne for active waste and £2 per tonne for inactive waste. The lower rate for inactive waste is frozen while the current level for active waste is £32 per tonne. 

Please Note: Where Inactive wastes don't undergo significant physical, chemical or biological transformations when deposited in landfill (uncontaminated earth and excavation waste such as sand, bricks, concrete etc.) and Active wastes undergo significant physical, chemical or biological transformations when deposited in landfill.

What is the waste hierarchy?

It is a framework of waste management options, with reduction being the preferred option, followed by reuse, recovery and finally disposal.
How can Mac Nabb Bros (Waste Disposal) Ltd work with your business?
Mac Nabb Bros (Waste Disposal) Ltd will carry out a waste consultation and working with you will put together a recycling package to meet your needs.
This may include: 

• A Baler for your cardboard, paper and plastic
• A Bottle bank for your glass bottles
• A Maxi bank for your aluminium and tin cans
• Dedicated skips for wood, and/or aggregate
• Cages for WEEE (Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment)
• A collection service for your ‘White’ goods
• A skip or bins for general waste

How can I contact Mac Nabb Bros (Waste Disposal) Ltd?

Mac Nabb Bros (Waste Disposal) Ltd can be contacted either directly at: 
Mac Nabb Bros (Waste Disposal) Ltd 
23 Downpatrick Road 
Killough, 
Downpatrick 
Co Down 
BT30 7QB 

Or by Phone and Fax on 028 44 84 22 48 

Or by email at info@MacNabbBros.co.uk