Introduction:
At Event Sparks Cable Recycling, we recognize the importance of responsible waste management. We are committed to turning this challenge into an opportunity through cable recycling. Event Sparks Cable Recycling has been recycling cables since the global pandemic of Covid 19. We have expanded our customer base and our equipment to become the utmost efficiency with our recycling process. This post is going to explain this journey and give you details on the cable recycling process.
Complexity of Cable Recycling:
Cable recycling presents a unique and manufactured challenge due to the complexity of cable composition. Cables are often a composite of various materials including copper/aluminium. As well as this, they contact insulating materials such as plastic and rubber. Additionally, cables come in all different, shapes, sizes and configurations, further complicating the recycling process. Tackling this complexity requires innovative technologies and specialised expertise to efficiently recover valuable materials. Not to mention, minimizing environmental impact, like we do at Event Sparks Cable Recycling.
End of Life for Cables:
Cables are often discarded and relegated to the realm of electronic waste when they reach the end of their lifespan. However, this is not the end of the road for these cables. Instead, it marks the beginning of their journey towards a sustainable future through recycling.
Collection by Our Experts:
When you acquire enough end-of-life cables to fill up your Event Sparks Cable Recycling bin, either 240L, 660L or 1100L, we schedule you for a collection and swap. One of our team will come and collect your full bin and swap it with a fresh one, so you can start the process again. Upon collection, you do not need to worry about sorting your materials as we do all this (free of charge) when we get back to our recycling centre.
Sorting & Preparation:
Next, now the cables have arrived back at our facility, we get straight to work sorting your cables and other metal into categories. We arrange them by cable types e.g. twin and earth or SWA and then we weigh every single cable. This information is then transferred to our office team, who sort out payment and a waste transfer note. After being sorted and weighed, the cable is then placed with its category and ready for shredding.
Processing Cable:
This critical phase employs high-powered shredders equipped with sharp blades specifically designed to tear through the cables, breaking them down into smaller, more manageable pieces. The shredding process not only reduces the size of the cables but also exposes the internal components, like copper or aluminium, as well as insulating materials like plastic and rubber. These shredded materials are then fed into our granulators. Granulators are sophisticated machines equipped with rotating blades and screens, which further refine the material. The finished outcome of our granulation gives us 99.8% copper granules.
The granulation process involves finely grinding the shredded material to achieve a consistent particle size. This ensures optimal performance in subsequent separation techniques. Additionally, granulation enhances the surface area of the material, facilitating more efficient separation of different components. The meticulous process of shredding and granulating plays a pivotal role in cable recycling. It helps maximize the recovery of valuable metals, while minimizing waste, contributing to a more sustainable and efficient recycling process.
Stripping of Larger Cable:
In addition to shredding and granulating, larger cables have to be stripped to separate the metal core from the outer insulation. This step is particularly important for cables with thicker insulation layers or complex configurations, allowing for the recovery of copper in its purest form. We have 2 different electric strippers that strip cables daily. Some cable types that require being stripped are large twin & earth, large single and large SWA. This is due to the cables being too big to shred with our shredder.
Sale of Recovered Materials:
Finally, the recovered copper granules and bright copper as well as the other valuable metals we recovered are sold to industries ready to be sold to manufacturers and made into something new. Some examples of items made out of recycled copper are new electrical cables to plumbing fixtures. The recycled copper finds a new life in a variety of applications, closing the loop on the circular copper economy and minimizing the need for virgin materials.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, cable recycling is not just about managing waste, it’s about unlocking the potential of discarded materials. At Event Sparks Cable Recycling, we are proud to play a part in this journey, taking cables on an efficient journey being broken down and ready to be re-used. If you want to get involved and help us in our mission to build a greener, more sustainable world, contact us.
