Weighing Systems for Waste and Recycling

rail scale for recycling

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The importance of weighing systems in waste management and recycling cannot be challenged. Huge amounts of raw materials flow into industries, so keeping an accurate account of this waste material is crucial in being able to monitor costs and efficiencies. One way to tackle this challenge is by using high-quality precision weighing equipment appropriate for the businesses needs.

Waste is increasingly being recognized as a valuable resource as well as an environmental concern. Weight information is the key to tracking the amount of waste collected, monitoring inputs and outputs during materials recovery, extracting energy and properly disposing of waste. Whether processing waste materials to make products for commercial gain, properly disposing of waste, or creating energy from waste, the weighing data retrieved is vital.

With many industries placing a large emphasis on recycling and waste management, appropriate weighing systems should be used for optimum function, ease of use and business profitability.

Types of waste weighing equipment

The four types of waste weighing equipment typically used for recycling and waste applications are rail, truck, floor and forklift scales.

  1. Rail Scales: These are ideal for weighing extremely heavy industrial commodities. Rail scales can be easily configured for static weighing and can be in the form of modular decks which are spaced to match the distance between the train’s wheels. RFID tags are used in most systems for recording and tracking all data accurately. These scales are connected to digital recorders and display systems from where weight measurements can be read easily and stored.
  2. Truck Scales: These are the most versatile weighing solutions for waste or recycling. Truck scales can easily weigh the vehicle when it arrives or departs the business location. Each transaction can be monitored and the weight of waste accurately measured. Truck scales are built to withstand extreme weather conditions, weight shocks, and the abuse of the vehicles traveling over them. Truck scales can be integrated with RFID technology for tracking and video recording to add a security level to the process. Truck scales can also ensure that vehicles are filled to capacity without unsafe and illegal over-loading.
  3. Floor Scales: As the name suggests, these scales are generally installed on the top of a level flooring surface or in a pit so the top of the scale is flush with the surrounding area. It is possible to weigh waste by either transporting loads directly onto the scale or by driving bundled waste onto the scales. A quality floor scale is capable of determining weights with high accuracy and precision. The properties of the material to be weighed will help you decide which floor scale is best for your business. All floor scales are built to withstand their load capacity and shock loading without compromising the accuracy of their weight measurements.
  4. Forklift Scales: These scales allow users to carry and transport bundled or bound waste and recycled materials between two locations while measuring their weight. Forklift scales make it possible to access real time data and transport waste simultaneously, thus saving time and money. This weighing solution is compatible with numerous accessories such as pulp clamps, bale clamps etc. Industries should select forklift scales based on the properties of waste and recycled materials they will be weighing.

Maintaining the Accuracy of Weighing Equipment in Waste & Recycling

Using the appropriate weighing systems for your recycling and waste needs helps ensure your business will have accurate weights which can optimize profits and solidify customer relations.

Scales become inaccurate for a variety of reasons, including (but not limited to) wear and tear on components, rough usage, environmental changes and buildup under the scale. These factors affect the scale beyond calibration. For these reasons, regular preventative maintenance services on your scale are recommended. During a preventative maintenance service, your scale service provider will inspect, test and calibrate your scale to standards traceable to NIST as required by a licensing agreement with State and local agencies.

Quality Scales Unlimited provides regular preventative maintenance services to the industrial weighing scales critical to consistently accurate material weights, reduced likelihood of a scale break down and avoiding government-regulated fines or out-of-service violations for operating a scale-out of calibration.