At Panda, we don’t just collect waste, we transform it into valuable resources. Our commitment to sustainability is backed by innovative waste solutions, including advanced Mechanical Biological Treatment (MBT) processes at our state-of-the-art facility in Littleton, Co. Tipperary.
This facility ensures that organic fines from Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) processing are stabilised, recovered and used as landfill cover. Additionally, in 2024, the site introduced bio-drying, a process that enhances the separation of recyclable plastics from black bin waste, increasing recycling rates and diversion from landfill and energy from waste.
What Is Biodrying?
Biodrying is a method used in waste processing. It reduces moisture content in municipal solid waste (MSW). This makes it easier to separate valuable materials like plastics. The process involves:
- Collecting waste – MSW is delivered to the processing plant.
- Controlled airflow – Warm air is circulated through the waste, reducing moisture.
- Microbial activity – Natural bacteria break down organic material, generating heat.
- Drying waste – The waste becomes drier, lighter, and easier to process.
By reducing moisture, waste can be sorted more efficiently. The dry waste is then sent through a processing line to extract recyclables, particularly plastics. The remaining material is converted into refuse-derived fuel (RDF).
How Does Biodrying Improve Waste Sorting?
Traditional waste handling systems struggle with wet waste. Moisture makes sorting difficult. Biodrying improves this by drying the waste before processing. This helps in several ways:
- Better separation of materials – Plastics, metals, and organic matter are easier to extract.
- Increased recycling rates – More plastic waste can be recovered instead of being sent for energy recovery.
- Higher fuel value – Dry waste burns better when used for energy recovery.
Biodrying is part of mechanical biological treatment (MBT). MBT is a system that combines mechanical sorting with biological processes like biodrying. The goal is to reduce landfill waste while increasing the recovery of useful materials.
How Does the Process Work?
Littleton operates under a strict EPA license and Department of Agriculture approval, ensuring responsible waste management. The facility now follows two primary processes:
1. Bio-stabilisation for Landfill Cover: Organic fines from MSW processing are stabilised to prevent further decomposition. Once processed, the fines are used as cover on the landfill to minimise odours and cap the waste between daily shifts.
2. Bio drying for Enhanced Recycling: MSW collections are processed through a bio-drying stage, by removing water content to make separation easier. Once dried, the materials can be processed through a MRF and valuable plastics that would have previously been sent for energy recovery can now be extracted and recycled.
Why Bio-drying Matters
The shift from on-site composting to bio-stabilisation and bio-drying reflects Panda’s commitment to enhanced waste recovery and circular economy practices. By maximising recycling efforts and optimising landfill cover, we:
- Increase plastic recovery
- Improve landfill management
- Support national and EU waste reduction targets, aligning with Ireland’s sustainability goals.
How Bio-drying Processes Support Ireland’s Waste Goals
Ireland has strict waste management targets. The government aims to reduce landfill waste and increase recycling rates. Bio-drying helps meet these targets by:
- Recovering more recyclables – Ensuring more plastics are sent for recycling instead of energy recovery.
- Reducing waste moisture – Making waste easier to handle and process.
- Lowering landfill dependency – Diverting more waste to recycling or RDF production.
The more materials that are recycled, the closer Ireland gets to a zero-waste future.
Bio-drying & Handling Waste Efficiently
Panda’s biodrying process ensures that black bin waste is handled more efficiently. By reducing moisture and improving separation, more plastics are recycled, and less waste is sent to energy recovery.
This innovation aligns with Ireland’s sustainability goals, supporting a greener future. With continued investment in waste technology, we can create a system where waste is not just disposed of, it is transformed into a valuable resource.
Would you like to learn more about how Panda is making waste management smarter? Visit Panda.ie to explore our services and commitment to sustainability.
