Single-stream recycling enables consumers to toss all relevant recyclables into one container. Glass, aluminum, plastic, paper, and cardboard can co-mingle and prepare to go to a much better place than in the packed, local landfill. Haulers pick up the materials and drop them off at our Material Recycling Facility, where they start their new journey. After initial hand-sorting, the pieces go through a high-tech conveyor system that moves materials through stations for efficient sorting. The cohesive technology uses optical material identification, magnetism, and forced air for segregation. If you watch the end of the process, you can even witness aluminum cans jumping off the conveyor into their unique bin, thanks to the application of an electrical current. With innovation, automation, and even electrical current, recycling looks very different today.

Thanks to effective and efficient processing, materials can be swiftly compacted together, bound, stacked, and stored. But the 1300-pound bundles don’t stay idle for long. The professional commodity brokers at Midwest Fiber Recycling have long-term relationships with recycling mills throughout the Midwest and the country. Materials are immediately sold and shipped, where they are typically made into like-new recycled products we enjoy daily. Those plastic bottles never knew they would one day become our back deck; however, we all had the vision.

Industries of all types have greatly benefited from the efficiency of modern recycling. From manufacturing plants to service industries, we can conduct hands-on waste assessments and use decades of expertise to determine how companies can reduce costs and prove their pro-environment commitment. And, thanks to software that calculates every pound, penny, and recycled product, organizations get paid for their efforts. We engage customers in real-time recycling, where a portal provides immediate access to shipping, payment, and pricing data. One can instantly evaluate efforts, generate specific reports, and even see what specific impact efforts have had on the environment. For example, you’ll be able to know exactly how many trees your efforts have saved. What a great message to send on a holiday card next year. On second thought, hold the card and send it via email. All actions matter in our environmentally conscious community of consumers.

We hope the IBM alliance develops a new alloy to quickly melt plastics into a 100% recyclable liquid. And we are sure all the sea creatures are also behind their efforts. In the meantime, single-stream recycling makes it easy for individuals and profitable for industry. As a result, participation on all levels has increased, and efforts divert tremendous amounts of materials from landfills.

With three decades of service, we’ve seen enormous, positive change in our industry. What has not changed is that modern-day recycling efforts require old-fashioned teamwork. We thank all those who contribute materials to our center, the mills we partner with to sell materials, and the dedicated staff who process, sell, and transport our materials. We look forward to continued service and industry advancements that may make recycling even more convenient for consumers and advantageous for the environment.

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We didn’t talk about core values when Midwest Fiber Recycling was founded over 30 years ago.   There was just a belief to provide exceptional customer service, never say “NO” before first exhausting all options, and treat customers fairly.

While those principles still hold true today, over the years, the team at Midwest Fiber has been able to take those same beliefs and put them in our core values to be shared with all. These values and beliefs have propelled Midwest Fiber to a multiple-state recycling operation and a growing brokerage division marketing material in over 23 states

Walk in their shoes

• At Midwest Fiber, we put ourselves in our customer’s shoes when making decisions.
• We use empathy and concern for others to dictate our actions and make sure that we’re making choices that are in our clients’ best interests.
• It also means that our team is willing to do whatever is necessary to get the job done. And we’re team players, so whether we’re called on to lead or assist, we’re always ready to jump in.
• We know this only works when we put our own self-interest aside and work for the greater good of our organization and our clients. Sometimes that means we look at things from someone else’s perspective because looking at things differently can change the entire picture.

Climb the Mountain

• A mountain climber sees an obstacle and is determined to find a way around it, and so do we.
• Just like the climber, we’re constantly looking for the best way to the top, even if it’s different from our original plan.
• Mountain climbers will encounter many things that are out of their control, rain, wind, snow, or a fallen tree. They can’t control the weather or the mountain, but they can control their attitude.
• That same attitude of flexibility and humility will inevitably help us serve our clients and help them reach their goals.
• We emulate the mountain climber when we take the experiences and learn from them. And like the mountain climber, we may have to take a calculated risk to reach our goal.

Create Steam

• At 211°, water is exceedingly hot. But at 212°, it boils and becomes steam.
• That one degree of difference creates enough energy to run a train, generate power, and produce electricity.
• We are always looking at how we can give just a little extra to get that extra degree.

Pure Play Recycler

At Midwest Fiber, our leadership understands that having no ownership in a landfill makes us different than others. It means that building a recycling program that benefits your bottom line makes us successful. Our industry knowledge and experience and multiple processing facilities allow us to offer unparalleled service. All of that leads to more success for our customers.

Interested in how our core values can work in your favor? Contact the experts at Midwest Fiber. Experience customer service at its finest and get started with our Proven Process today.

Direct to Mill

One of the benefits of working with Midwest Fiber is our five processing facilities. Because of the volume of materials we process, we can send the commodities directly to the mills, skipping third-party brokers and getting our customers the best return. When you combine your specialized recycling program with our bulk selling power, your bottom line benefits.

Contact our team to learn more!

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Over the past several blogs, the Midwest Fiber newsletter has presented a three-part series on our Proven Process. Today, we’ll walk you through each step to help you understand the strategy and philosophy behind what makes our business work and our customers successful in their recycling programs. In past blogs, we covered the first three steps of the Midwest Fiber Proven Process, analysis and alignment, and adoption. The final step is account and client management.

Part 3: Account and Client Management

Recycling programs are not set it and forget it. At Midwest Fiber, we have to keep up with industry changes. We also stay on top of any changes our customers go through. That’s why the account management part of our proven process is so critical. Our experts will work with our clients to set up regular meetings to review your program and discuss any adjustments that need to be made. We’ll do an overall annual review to make sure that everything is running smoothly. We’ll also audit your recycling loads annually to ensure that you’re getting the most out of your program.

Along with managing your program, we also manage the materials from your business. We’ll look at your pick-up schedule and your payments and reporting to make sure all details are on track. And we’ll also make sure we know if you have any new materials to add to your recycling program or if recent advancements make existing materials recyclable.

One of the reasons that Midwest Fiber customers are so successful is that our team of experts walks with you every step of the way. Our goal is to be proactive so that your business always gets the most out of your recycling program.

Are you looking to re-evaluate your recycling program? Contact the experts at Midwest Fiber and get started with our Proven Process today.

Recycling Advantages for Businesses

We know that recycling is good for the planet – but there are a lot of benefits to businesses beyond positive environmental impact. More and more, the government is incentivizing green initiatives. Maybe there is a tax credit available for your business if you recycle – or maybe there will be in the future. You can get a jump on things by creating a recycling program now to take advantage of current benefits and beat the rush if future initiatives become available.

Don’t forget to let us know how we’re doing by leaving a Google or Facebook review!

The post Our Proven Process: Account and Client Management appeared first on Midwest Fiber.

Over the following several blogs, the Midwest Fiber newsletter will present a three-part series on our proven recycling process. We’ll walk you through each step to help you understand the strategy and philosophy behind what makes our business work and our customers successful in their recycling programs.

In the last newsletter, we covered the first two steps of the Midwest Fiber Proven Process, Analysis, and Alignment. You can read it here. 

Step 3 – Adoption

The third step is “Adoption.” Once the agreement is in place, it’s time to get your new recycling program rolling. This includes delivering and installing any new equipment and complete training for your employees. This ensures the equipment is used correctly and safely. We’ll also instruct your team on any new or adjusted steps in your recycling process.

Along with training, your company will also be assigned an account manager. This person is your main point of contact at Midwest Fiber. Your account manager will be there to ensure from the start that your program is running effectively and the way it was designed. They’ll also be on hand to audit your first load and give you ongoing feedback to make sure your program continues to operate efficiently to maximize value and minimize labor.

One of the great benefits of working with Midwest Fiber is our customer portal. The portal is a real-time, 24/7 access point to the success of your program. Here, you can track your progress in what’s being recycled at your business, what the environmental impact is, shipping details, financial details, and more.

You can also use the portal to run and share reports on load details, statuses, contract terms, and more for further analysis. Our completely secure portal is only available to Midwest Fiber partners.

Are you looking to re-evaluate your recycling program? Contact the experts at Midwest Fiber and get started with our Proven Process today.

Recycling Advantages for Businesses

We know that recycling is good for the planet – but there are a lot of benefits to businesses beyond positive environmental impact. Have you considered how your environmental stewardship will benefit employee retention? Particularly in the up-and-coming generations, employees want to know that their places of business are doing what they can to be good guardians. This includes trying to offset the carbon footprint created by their company. Recycling goes a long way in reducing your footprint and creating a positive image of your business. It also helps when attracting and retaining employees.

Don’t forget to let us know how we’re doing by leaving a Google or Facebook review!

The post Our Proven Process: Adoption appeared first on Midwest Fiber.

In December, the single-stream recycling facility in Normal, IL, had MAX and IRMA installed to help improve the quality and capture 100% of the recyclables. MAX and IRMA are recycling robots that use artificial intelligence to help remove plastic bottles, aluminum cans, and tin cans that are missed in the primary sort. Additionally, they pull out undesirable material from the stream. Check out MAX and IRMA in action in this short video.

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Not all recyclers and recycling programs are created equal. And every business is unique. To ensure that you have the right service and equipment in place, Midwest Fiber uses our proven process to evaluate your recycling program and help develop a customized approach for your company’s needs. At Midwest Fiber, we understand that everyone is busy. That’s why we’ve adopted a four-step process to simplify the evaluation and implementation and provide ongoing account management.

Our recommendations often include processing equipment to make your program efficient and maximize your revenue. In most cases, we have the items in stock and can have them delivered or installed in your building in just a few weeks. Here is some of the standard equipment we have on hand:

BALERS

A baler compresses your sorted, recycled materials like aluminum, shrink wrap, plastic, or cardboard into small bales. These bales are then tied off with wire or strapping and expelled from the machine.

COMPACTORS

You can collect all recyclable materials in a compactor. Once full, the materials are crushed. This allows businesses to keep large volumes of materials in a smaller space. When full, the entire container unit is collected and emptied.

SCRAP CHOPPERS

If you have a lot of plastic or metal banding, choppers are used to cut it into small pieces to save on space. A 30-yard dump box of loose banding can fit into two 55-gallon drums after it’s been chopped.

GAYLORD CONTAINERS

When you have a lot of materials to store or ship, Gaylord boxes may be the answer. These are bulk-sized, corrugated containers. Most of them are, themselves, recyclable materials and can be easily picked up and hauled away.

As with all processes, the most important element is having the right equipment for the job. With so many options, it’s best to contact experts like the team at Midwest Fiber to make sure that your waste stream is assessed and the right tools are in place. It’s just one more way Midwest Fiber helps you get the most out of your recycling program

HOW ARE WE DOING?

It is crucial to us that our customers have a positive experience. So, we want to know – how are we doing? Thank you in advance for taking the time to leave us a review on Facebook or Google. You can click the links below for easy evaluation.

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It’s true that our name is Midwest Fiber. But while fiber is in our history, recycling markets have changed over the last 30 years, and we have grown along with them. At Midwest Fiber, certainly, our team can identify, develop, and help implement a robust recycling program behind just paper.  In fact, our fastest-growing sector is plastic. Plastic is a major point of emphasis as we continue to see a rise in plastic packaging.

For many companies, paper is just a starting point when it comes to your recycling programs. But many times, it’s hard to think past that.  But what about your plastic film, containers, and other plastic packaging.  Those can be recycled. Here are some recyclable goods to consider at your business:

• Paper
• Cardboard
• Kraft Poly-lined bags
• Multiwall- Kraft bags
• Poly Super sacks
• Plastic packing
• Plastic film

That’s also why a waste assessment with Midwest Fiber Recycling is a great idea. We can review all of your waste streams and make sure that you’re making the most out of your recycling program. We help businesses reach green initiatives and send less to landfills. And remember, the more that you recycle, the better your return will be.

Midwest also offers specialized services to Injection Molders, Blow Molders, Film & Sheet, Rotational Molders, Thermoformers, Extruders, Automotive, Distribution Centers, Manufacturing, Food and Beverage, Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs)

Plastics Recycling

Midwest is always looking to buy PET, HDPE, PVC, LDPE, PP, PS, ABS, PC, PC-ABS, Nylon in regrind, Purge, Parts, Sheets, Chunks, Powder, Repro, Virgin or Prime

• Strong markets for post-industrial (pre-consumer) and post-consumer material
• Warehouse and Silo cleanouts
• Ability to take combo loads with multiple grades
• Brokerage services that buys and sells material throughout the US and Canada
• We take pride in providing our processors and end-users with consistent and quality material

So, whether you’re a part supplier with small amounts of plastic waste and large amounts of paper waste or a large plastics supplier with regular semi-loads of plastic waste and just a small amount of paper, we’ve got you covered. At Midwest Fiber Recycling, we have a comprehensive program that can handle all of your recycling and secure shredding needs. If you’re looking to create a plan, audit your current services, or you just have questions about what is recyclable at your business, contact the experts at Midwest Fibers. Call today at 1-800-779-6977 or visit us online at Midwest-fiber.com.

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