Material Matters May 25, 2012

Material Matters May 25 2012

The Illinois Recycling Association (IRA) is pleased to provide this Best Operational Practices Manual (BOPM) as a tool to further advance professional recycling in Illinois. IRA gratefully acknowledges the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity who provided funding for the development of this manual and their continuing support for recycling in Illinois.

Over the last two decades contemporary recycling has witnessed many changes in collection, processing and marketing of commodities. There are different processing systems that operate as a function of the differing collection systems that are in place or being considered. Furthermore, increases in the types and quantities of commodities recovered in existing or new programs may require facility technology and equipment retrofits. The purpose and intent of this manual is to assist those Illinois counties, cities and businesses that own/operate materials recovery facilities (MRFs) and recycling drop-offs to evaluate their operations in accordance with Best Operational Practices (BOPs) to reduce negative environmental impacts, advance safety consciousness, improve processing efficiencies, reduce operating costs, and increase the potential to improve revenues for the materials recovered. This manual describes systems and procedures that can be employed by recycling facilities to operate as successful commodities businesses without the need for any special or environmental protection permits.