Company Background and Objectives
Thorntons Recycling is one of the most successful companies in Ireland's recycling industry recovering over 80% of the 250,000 tonnes of material processed annually. The company operates a number of facilities in Dublin, Meath and Kildare. The company has invested in excess of €50m in state of the art facilities and sorting technologies with a view to recovering as much of the material it collects.
The company was founded in 1979 by Padraig and Carmel Thornton. Thorntons currently employs over 200 staff and operates a fleet of over 100 trucks.
Pictured above is Thorntons first "Skip Eater" Truck 1979
Over 35,000 residential and commercial customers trust us to manage their recycling and waste management services. We are a fully integrated waste management and recycling company with a proven track record in delivering efficient, legal and economical waste management, recovery and recycling solutions for our customers.
Thorntons Headquarters at Park West, Dublin 12.
Our Strategic objective is to recover and recycle as much material as possible through the best use of techonology and processes. As the company does not own or operate a landfill it is one of our key objectives to divert as much material as possible from landfill. This is achieved by investment in Best Available Technology (BAT) and processes.
Solid Recovered Fuel
In late 2009 the company invested €2m in state of the art Solid Recovered Fuel (SRF) technology. This is creating a fuel from mixed waste that is suitable for the creation of power in large manufacturing processes. This will divert more material from landfill and ensure that Thorntons customers avoid scheduled increases in landfill levies. Landfill levies are forecast to grow from €20 per tonne in 2009 to €75 per tonne by 2012. By investing in technologies now and looking at ways of reducing material going to landfill Thorntons will be able to keep its customers costs to a minimum while improving recycling rates. During 2010 the company hopes to divert approx 20,000 tonnes of material from landfill. In 2011 the company plans to further invest (Further €2m investment) in this technology with a view to increasing the production of this fuel to 35,000 by 2012.
Pictured above is finished Product SRF (Phone for scale only!!!!!!)
Organic Material/Compost
The company also operates a state of the art Compost Facility at Kilmainhamwood, Co Meath. The main feedstock for this facility is source segregated organic/food material. Ireland is challenged with diverting this material away from landfill. Thorntons for its part has invested in this facility to accomodate the diversion and processing of this material for its customers. This again will help our customers meet its legal obligations and keep their costs to a minimum by avoiding increasing landfill levies.
One of Thorntons Food Waste Collection Vehicles
Thorntons has applied for an increase in the capacity at its Kilmainhamwood facility (€2m investment) to meet the countrys growing need to divert organic waste for landfill.
Mixed Dry Recyclabes Facility
In an effort to improve recovery rates the company plans to invest in a new Mixed Dry Recyclables Recovery facility in Dublin (€2m invesment). Current operations at Killeen Road will be moved to a new state of the art facility in early 2011.
Cardboard Recycled and baled at our Killeen Road Depot
Thorntons will continue to invest in technologies, processes and people to ensure that it brings excellent value and service to all of its customers.
