How Scanmetals solved big bag waste challenges, improved efficiency and cut costs by 60%

Scanmetals, a specialist in recovering metals from waste-to-energy bottom ash, faced growing challenges with handling large volumes of used big bags. Their existing setup took up space, required frequent collections, and increased costs.

By implementing a Mil-tek A305 baler, waste is now compacted directly in production. This reduces volume at the source, cuts collection costs by 60%, frees up space, and improves efficiency – delivering ROI in just over one year.

Recovering value from waste streams

Scanmetals operates at the forefront of metal recovery, extracting reusable materials from bottom ash generated by waste-to-energy facilities.

With advanced dry processing and sorting systems, the company ensures that valuable metals are reintegrated into the production cycle, supporting a more resource-efficient and circular economy.

Continuous optimisation of processes, waste reduction, and operational performance remains a central focus across all their facilities.

Growing waste volumes putting pressure on space and costs

Handling recovered metals requires the use of large numbers of big bags in day-to-day operations. These bags quickly accumulated and were previously disposed of using external waste containers.

This setup created several challenges: production areas became crowded, waste collections were frequent, internal traffic increased, and disposal costs continued to rise.

To maintain efficiency without disrupting operations, Scanmetals needed a more scalable and space-efficient solution.

filled big bags on floor and a red truck

Integrating compaction directly into operations

Scanmetals addressed these challenges by implementing the A305 baler.

This solution allows big bags to be compacted immediately where they are used, transforming bulky waste into tightly compressed, easy-to-handle bales.

By reducing volume at the source, the company minimised the need for containers and significantly decreased the frequency of waste collections, gaining greater control over its waste handling process.

Measurable savings!

The results were both immediate and substantial. Waste handling costs were reduced by approximately 60%, and the investment in the baler was recovered in just over a year.

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Better workflows and more efficient use of space

With compaction taking place directly in production areas, Scanmetals reclaimed valuable floor space and improved the flow of operations across the site.

Employees now benefit from a more efficient workflow, with less manual handling and fewer interruptions caused by waste management tasks.

The outcome is a more organised, safer, and productive working environment.

Turning waste into a circular opportunity

In addition to operational improvements, Scanmetals is working towards closing the loop on big bag usage by enabling them to be recycled into new bags.

The A305 baler has helped transform a logistical challenge into a sustainable practice, combining cost efficiency with responsible resource management and supporting long-term circular economy goals.