Hawaiian recycling centre installs new WENDT shredder and separation system

WENDT CORPORATION successfully installed a WENDT M6090 automobile shredder at Island Recycling in Hawaii. This new machine will contribute to enhancing Island Recycling's operational efficiency, throughput, and material recovery, reinforcing its commitment to high-quality scrap processing and environmental sustainability on the island. 

Jim Nutter started Island Recycling in 1983 in Kalihi, Honolulu, working out of an old shipping container as an office, with the mission of introducing the concept of recycling to Hawaii. Island Recycling operates two locations in the state as a second-generation family-run business. The company acts as a multi-commodity recycling centre, helping public, commercial, and governmental entities keep more than 60,000 tons of recyclable material out of the waste stream annually.

Nick Nutter, President of Island Recycling, initially engaged with WENDT to explore non-ferrous separation solutions. "We sent batches of our automobile shredder residue to WENDT's test facility, revealing that we were losing 16 percent non-ferrous metals into the waste stream," Nutter explained. "Given Hawaii's limited and costly landfill space, we recognized the substantial profit margins we were missing in non-ferrous metals."

Specs on the WENDT M6090 automobile shredder

The WENDT M6090 shredder installed at Island Recycling features a Bowe Disc Rotor, a new infeed conveyor, feed roll assembly, and a pin puller. The company has also invested in a new 2,500 HP motor with Variable Frequency Drive technology from WENDT, scheduled for installation in the second quarter of 2025. The equipment package also includes a non-ferrous recovery system with an eddy current separator for aluminum (zorba) recovery and a WENDT TOMRA FINDER to produce a clean aluminum (twitch) package.

Being in Hawaii, Island Recycling required a dependable service and support team for its operations. "We now have a responsive support team from WENDT, with quick reaction times to address any issues. The availability of spare parts has also been crucial to our operation," said Nutter. 

Looking ahead, Island Recycling plans to continue growing and enhancing its operations. "We're excited about the future and the potential for growth with WENDT's support," Nutter concluded. "Our new shredder and non-ferrous equipment have boosted our profitability and sustainability efforts, aligning with our long-term goals of reducing landfill waste, maximizing resource recovery, and leading the way in recycling technology and sustainability in Hawaii."