Commercial and industrial (C&I) waste is one of the most significant waste streams generated by businesses, manufacturing industries, and commercial operations. This predominantly dry waste consists of various materials such as paper, cardboard, plastics, clean wood, and metals, many of which have high potential for recycling, reuse, or energy recovery. However, without effective processing, these valuable materials are often lost to landfills, leading to increased disposal costs and environmental impact.
To tackle these challenges, businesses require reliable, high-performance waste treatment solutions that allow for efficient processing, optimized material recovery, and cost reduction. TANA’s shredding and screening technology is specifically designed to help waste operators, recycling facilities, and industrial processors get the most out of their C&I waste streams.
Types of C&I
Commercial and industrial (C&I) waste consists of various materials, with paper and cardboard being among the most common, especially in offices, retail, and packaging. While highly recyclable, they require proper sorting to avoid contamination.
Plastics
Generated from packaging and manufacturing, plastics vary in recyclability. Lightweight plastics can be challenging to contain and process efficiently.
Wood waste
Found in construction and furniture industries, wood can be repurposed or processed for energy recovery, depending on its treatment.
Metals
Ferrous and non-ferrous metals from manufacturing and construction are valuable recyclables, efficiently recovered using magnetic separation.
Textiles and fabrics
Generated by textile and upholstery industries, some fabrics are reusable, while mixed fibers may be converted into refuse-derived fuel (RDF).
In addition to these, C&I waste includes many other materials such as textiles, glass, and mixed residual waste, each requiring specific handling and processing methods for effective resource recovery.
Challenges in C&I waste processing
Processing commercial and industrial waste comes with unique challenges:
Material diversity: C&I waste varies significantly by industry, meaning processing equipment must be versatile enough to handle different materials, from lightweight plastics to dense wood and metals.
Contaminants & non-crushables: Items like metal components, textiles, and oversized materials can pose difficulties in shredding, requiring robust machinery that can adapt to varying conditions.
Sustainability goals: Businesses are under increasing pressure to reduce landfill dependency and improve recycling rates. Processing C&I waste efficiently helps meet these targets while minimizing operational costs.
Optimizing end-product quality: Whether for recycling, RDF/SRF production, or incineration, achieving the right particle size and material separation is essential for maximizing recovery and efficiency.
What do you really know about
C&I waste processing?
TANA solutions for C&I waste management
High-performance shredding
The TANA Shredders are a powerful and adaptable shredders, optimized for handling diverse C&I waste materials.
✔ Single-pass shredding: Achieves uniform particle sizes in just one pass, reducing processing time and energy consumption.
✔ Smart operation: The TANA Control System (TCS) automatically detects non-crushables, reversing the rotor and halting operations for safe removal.
✔ Versatile applications: Can be used for primary shredding to break down large materials or secondary shredding to refine the particle size.
Screening for clean, separated material
After shredding, C&I waste needs further refinement to separate materials by size and type. The TANA Raven disc screen is designed to optimize this step.
✔ Two or three-fraction screening: Separates waste into oversize, undersize, and fines, improving material purity for recycling and RDF production.
✔ Clog-resistant design: Handles challenging materials without blockages, ensuring smooth operation.
✔ Modular adjustability: Allows operators to fine-tune the screening process based on material needs, maximizing throughput and efficiency.
