How does it work?
Cable recycling is the process of recovering and recycling materials from electrical cables to minimise waste and promote resource conservation. Once collected, the cables are sorted, dismantled and cut into smaller pieces. The fragments are then separated and sorted, allowing the different materials to be recovered and repurposed.
1) Collection and sorting
Used or discarded cables are collected from various sources, including households, business premises and electronic waste recycling centres. The cables can contain different types of materials, such as copper, aluminium, plastic insulation and other metals.
2) Dismantling
At the initial stage, the cables are dismantled either manually or mechanically to separate the components. This can involve removing outer sheaths, connectors, plugs and other non-metallic parts from the cables.
3) Shredding and granulation
Once the cables are dismantled, they are typically shredded into smaller pieces to facilitate further processing. This can be done using mechanical shredders or granulators. Shredding helps to break down the materials into smaller fragments, making it easier to separate them for the next part of the process.
4) Separation and sorting
After shredding, the cable fragments undergo various separation techniques to sort the different materials. This is typically achieved through processes such as gravity separation, magnetic separation and electrostatic separation. These methods help separate the metal (such as copper or aluminium) from the plastic insulation and other non-metallic materials.
5) Metal recovery
The separated metal components, primarily copper and aluminium, are further processed to recover and refine them. This can involve techniques such as melting, smelting or electrolysis to extract pure metal which can then be reused in the production of new cables or other products that require metal inputs.
6) Plastic recycling
The plastic insulation and other non-metallic materials obtained during the separation process can also be recycled. These materials are typically sent to specialised recycling facilities where they undergo processes like shredding, washing and pelletising. The pellets created can then be used to make new plastic products.
7) Waste management
Throughout the cable recycling process, any residual waste or by-products are managed and disposed of responsibly. This includes properly treating or disposing of any hazardous materials that may be present in the cables, adhering to local environmental regulations and waste management practices.
It’s important to note that recycling processes can vary depending on the type and size of the cables being recycled, as well as the specific recycling facilities and technologies used. However, the overall objective remains consistent – to recover valuable materials and reduce the environmental impact of discarded cables by recycling and reusing their components.
We have a Guidetti cable granulator at our site and would love to buy your old cables for recycling. Get in touch to find out more.