A New Type of Recycling

All their MSW (municipal solid waste) will be run through a conveyer belt, and sorted through for recyclables like cardboard, wood, metal, and aluminum. The excess waste is packed and bundled to the size of a tall hay bale. Then it is loaded on a semi truck and shipped to a balefill where it is stacked and covered with dirt like a landfill.

What Is The Transfer Station?

The transfer station is a large enclosed building that all different types of garbage trucks can dump in. Transfer Stations are usually located in, or near cities, so garbage trucks don’t have to travel long distances to landfills. There are many different types of transfer stations, some recycle dry waste only and some just bale the garbage for transport, very few recycle and bale wet waste. The garbage is baled for easy transport, and placement in a balefill. All bales are stacked in a hole, like bricks, and covered with dirt (see picture at left).

MSW or Wet Waste (Municipal Solid Waste) — Household garbage – product packaging, grass clippings, furniture, clothing, bottles, food, newspapers, some appliances.

NOT MSW or Dry Waste — construction and demolition debris, wastewater treatment sludge, non–hazardous industrial waste.

Hazardous (waste not accepted at landfill or transfer station)– Paint, tires, grease, oils, industrial emissions, batteries, hazardous or flammable chemicals, infectious medical waste etc.