1. Krystal Noiseux, Recycling Program Manager
Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation

2. Full Facility: 90 minutes* Bus or 10-15 passenger van; max. 2 vehicles
9:30 or 11:30; can accommodate up to 2pm
What will you see?
Materials Recycling Facility only: 1 hour*
Free for RI schools, $100 for out-of-state schools
Book online at at least 2 weeks in advance
After a 7-month, $16.9 renovation project (ROI: 5 years), fully funded by RIRRC and designed and installed by Van Dyk Recycling Solutions, RI’s new, enhanced recycling system is a truly state-of-the-art Materials Recycling Facility (MRF). The MRF uses a combination of manual, mechanical, and optical sorting technology to turn mixed recyclables into separate, saleable commodities.
5 Key Features
Star Screens: The facility uses four different star screens: One for separating large cardboard, two for separating containers from fiber, and one for separating glass from other containers. Star screens are wide steel boxes containing rows of steel shafts. On each individual shaft is a series of star-shaped disks, and depending on the screen, these disks will vary in their composition (e.g. rubber or steel), their size, and their spacing. When the shafts are spinning, their composition, size, and spacing determines which items will move up and over the disks, and which pass through the space between the disks and on to conveyors below.
Overhead Magnet: This is a very large and very powerful permanent magnet that is suspended over the conveyor belt carrying mixed containers. The magnet itself is surrounded by a circular belt that continuously spins, attracting steel and tin cans (but not aluminum, because aluminum does not contain iron). The overhead magnet pulls steel and tin cans off the conveyor belt running below, and releases them at its non-magnetized end onto their own conveyor belt, away from other mixed recyclables.
Eddy Current Separator: The Eddy current separator is used to sort aluminum recyclables that have already passed underneath the permanent magnet. The Eddy current separator creates a changing magnetic field that in turn creates an electric current (called an Eddy current) in the aluminum. This makes aluminum repel away from the conveyor belt, while the remaining containers drop off at the end.
Optical Sorters: There are four optical sorters in the facility. Using their ability to judge how light reflects off various materials differently, these smart “eyes” can distinguish among different materials based on the material type (e.g. PET versus HDPE plastic), shape (i.e. 2-dimensional versus 3-dimensional objects), and color, depending on how we set the controls. They work in conjunction with air compressors, which instantaneously blast a targeted item off the conveyor belt in one direction, to separate out targeted materials while the remaining containers drop off onto a conveyor belt below.
Ballistic Separator: The ballistic separator is essentially a series of side-by-side, rectangular “paddles.” These paddles are sieve-like, with openings through which small bits of material can pass. They are stationed at an angle and move in such a way that 3-D material (i.e. containers) roll back toward the optical sorters, and any plastic film or leftover paper "walks" forward.

4. MaxMan: K-3; can do K-6 and special events Educators: Pre-K-College
30 minute, 45 minute, 1 hour
Tailored to class needs
PowerPoint Presentations for MS and up
Free for RI schools; currently unavailable for out-of-state schools
Book online at at least 2 weeks in advance
After a 7-month, $16.9 renovation project (ROI: 5 years), fully funded by RIRRC and designed and installed by Van Dyk Recycling Solutions, RI’s new, enhanced recycling system is a truly state-of-the-art Materials Recycling Facility (MRF). The MRF uses a combination of manual, mechanical, and optical sorting technology to turn mixed recyclables into separate, saleable commodities.
5 Key Features
Star Screens: The facility uses four different star screens: One for separating large cardboard, two for separating containers from fiber, and one for separating glass from other containers. Star screens are wide steel boxes containing rows of steel shafts. On each individual shaft is a series of star-shaped disks, and depending on the screen, these disks will vary in their composition (e.g. rubber or steel), their size, and their spacing. When the shafts are spinning, their composition, size, and spacing determines which items will move up and over the disks, and which pass through the space between the disks and on to conveyors below.
Overhead Magnet: This is a very large and very powerful permanent magnet that is suspended over the conveyor belt carrying mixed containers. The magnet itself is surrounded by a circular belt that continuously spins, attracting steel and tin cans (but not aluminum, because aluminum does not contain iron). The overhead magnet pulls steel and tin cans off the conveyor belt running below, and releases them at its non-magnetized end onto their own conveyor belt, away from other mixed recyclables.
Eddy Current Separator: The Eddy current separator is used to sort aluminum recyclables that have already passed underneath the permanent magnet. The Eddy current separator creates a changing magnetic field that in turn creates an electric current (called an Eddy current) in the aluminum. This makes aluminum repel away from the conveyor belt, while the remaining containers drop off at the end.
Optical Sorters: There are four optical sorters in the facility. Using their ability to judge how light reflects off various materials differently, these smart “eyes” can distinguish among different materials based on the material type (e.g. PET versus HDPE plastic), shape (i.e. 2-dimensional versus 3-dimensional objects), and color, depending on how we set the controls. They work in conjunction with air compressors, which instantaneously blast a targeted item off the conveyor belt in one direction, to separate out targeted materials while the remaining containers drop off onto a conveyor belt below.
Ballistic Separator: The ballistic separator is essentially a series of side-by-side, rectangular “paddles.” These paddles are sieve-like, with openings through which small bits of material can pass. They are stationed at an angle and move in such a way that 3-D material (i.e. containers) roll back toward the optical sorters, and any plastic film or leftover paper "walks" forward.

5. Meet with teachers, students, custodial staff
Complete a walk-through of your school
Determine the types of materials currently being thrown away
Help you develop an action plan to reduce your waste
Educators can speak briefly at staff meetings: principals, teachers, custodians.
Free. Book online at at least 2 weeks in advance
After a 7-month, $16.9 renovation project (ROI: 5 years), fully funded by RIRRC and designed and installed by Van Dyk Recycling Solutions, RI’s new, enhanced recycling system is a truly state-of-the-art Materials Recycling Facility (MRF). The MRF uses a combination of manual, mechanical, and optical sorting technology to turn mixed recyclables into separate, saleable commodities.
5 Key Features
Star Screens: The facility uses four different star screens: One for separating large cardboard, two for separating containers from fiber, and one for separating glass from other containers. Star screens are wide steel boxes containing rows of steel shafts. On each individual shaft is a series of star-shaped disks, and depending on the screen, these disks will vary in their composition (e.g. rubber or steel), their size, and their spacing. When the shafts are spinning, their composition, size, and spacing determines which items will move up and over the disks, and which pass through the space between the disks and on to conveyors below.
Overhead Magnet: This is a very large and very powerful permanent magnet that is suspended over the conveyor belt carrying mixed containers. The magnet itself is surrounded by a circular belt that continuously spins, attracting steel and tin cans (but not aluminum, because aluminum does not contain iron). The overhead magnet pulls steel and tin cans off the conveyor belt running below, and releases them at its non-magnetized end onto their own conveyor belt, away from other mixed recyclables.
Eddy Current Separator: The Eddy current separator is used to sort aluminum recyclables that have already passed underneath the permanent magnet. The Eddy current separator creates a changing magnetic field that in turn creates an electric current (called an Eddy current) in the aluminum. This makes aluminum repel away from the conveyor belt, while the remaining containers drop off at the end.
Optical Sorters: There are four optical sorters in the facility. Using their ability to judge how light reflects off various materials differently, these smart “eyes” can distinguish among different materials based on the material type (e.g. PET versus HDPE plastic), shape (i.e. 2-dimensional versus 3-dimensional objects), and color, depending on how we set the controls. They work in conjunction with air compressors, which instantaneously blast a targeted item off the conveyor belt in one direction, to separate out targeted materials while the remaining containers drop off onto a conveyor belt below.
Ballistic Separator: The ballistic separator is essentially a series of side-by-side, rectangular “paddles.” These paddles are sieve-like, with openings through which small bits of material can pass. They are stationed at an angle and move in such a way that 3-D material (i.e. containers) roll back toward the optical sorters, and any plastic film or leftover paper "walks" forward.

6. School-specific guidelines Items from schools Rules of thumb
Download at:
After a 7-month, $16.9 renovation project (ROI: 5 years), fully funded by RIRRC and designed and installed by Van Dyk Recycling Solutions, RI’s new, enhanced recycling system is a truly state-of-the-art Materials Recycling Facility (MRF). The MRF uses a combination of manual, mechanical, and optical sorting technology to turn mixed recyclables into separate, saleable commodities.
5 Key Features
Star Screens: The facility uses four different star screens: One for separating large cardboard, two for separating containers from fiber, and one for separating glass from other containers. Star screens are wide steel boxes containing rows of steel shafts. On each individual shaft is a series of star-shaped disks, and depending on the screen, these disks will vary in their composition (e.g. rubber or steel), their size, and their spacing. When the shafts are spinning, their composition, size, and spacing determines which items will move up and over the disks, and which pass through the space between the disks and on to conveyors below.
Overhead Magnet: This is a very large and very powerful permanent magnet that is suspended over the conveyor belt carrying mixed containers. The magnet itself is surrounded by a circular belt that continuously spins, attracting steel and tin cans (but not aluminum, because aluminum does not contain iron). The overhead magnet pulls steel and tin cans off the conveyor belt running below, and releases them at its non-magnetized end onto their own conveyor belt, away from other mixed recyclables.
Eddy Current Separator: The Eddy current separator is used to sort aluminum recyclables that have already passed underneath the permanent magnet. The Eddy current separator creates a changing magnetic field that in turn creates an electric current (called an Eddy current) in the aluminum. This makes aluminum repel away from the conveyor belt, while the remaining containers drop off at the end.
Optical Sorters: There are four optical sorters in the facility. Using their ability to judge how light reflects off various materials differently, these smart “eyes” can distinguish among different materials based on the material type (e.g. PET versus HDPE plastic), shape (i.e. 2-dimensional versus 3-dimensional objects), and color, depending on how we set the controls. They work in conjunction with air compressors, which instantaneously blast a targeted item off the conveyor belt in one direction, to separate out targeted materials while the remaining containers drop off onto a conveyor belt below.
Ballistic Separator: The ballistic separator is essentially a series of side-by-side, rectangular “paddles.” These paddles are sieve-like, with openings through which small bits of material can pass. They are stationed at an angle and move in such a way that 3-D material (i.e. containers) roll back toward the optical sorters, and any plastic film or leftover paper "walks" forward.

7. Options
After a 7-month, $16.9 renovation project (ROI: 5 years), fully funded by RIRRC and designed and installed by Van Dyk Recycling Solutions, RI’s new, enhanced recycling system is a truly state-of-the-art Materials Recycling Facility (MRF). The MRF uses a combination of manual, mechanical, and optical sorting technology to turn mixed recyclables into separate, saleable commodities.
5 Key Features
Star Screens: The facility uses four different star screens: One for separating large cardboard, two for separating containers from fiber, and one for separating glass from other containers. Star screens are wide steel boxes containing rows of steel shafts. On each individual shaft is a series of star-shaped disks, and depending on the screen, these disks will vary in their composition (e.g. rubber or steel), their size, and their spacing. When the shafts are spinning, their composition, size, and spacing determines which items will move up and over the disks, and which pass through the space between the disks and on to conveyors below.
Overhead Magnet: This is a very large and very powerful permanent magnet that is suspended over the conveyor belt carrying mixed containers. The magnet itself is surrounded by a circular belt that continuously spins, attracting steel and tin cans (but not aluminum, because aluminum does not contain iron). The overhead magnet pulls steel and tin cans off the conveyor belt running below, and releases them at its non-magnetized end onto their own conveyor belt, away from other mixed recyclables.
Eddy Current Separator: The Eddy current separator is used to sort aluminum recyclables that have already passed underneath the permanent magnet. The Eddy current separator creates a changing magnetic field that in turn creates an electric current (called an Eddy current) in the aluminum. This makes aluminum repel away from the conveyor belt, while the remaining containers drop off at the end.
Optical Sorters: There are four optical sorters in the facility. Using their ability to judge how light reflects off various materials differently, these smart “eyes” can distinguish among different materials based on the material type (e.g. PET versus HDPE plastic), shape (i.e. 2-dimensional versus 3-dimensional objects), and color, depending on how we set the controls. They work in conjunction with air compressors, which instantaneously blast a targeted item off the conveyor belt in one direction, to separate out targeted materials while the remaining containers drop off onto a conveyor belt below.
Ballistic Separator: The ballistic separator is essentially a series of side-by-side, rectangular “paddles.” These paddles are sieve-like, with openings through which small bits of material can pass. They are stationed at an angle and move in such a way that 3-D material (i.e. containers) roll back toward the optical sorters, and any plastic film or leftover paper "walks" forward.

8. Individual Class Projects Research papers Photography
Science Fair Projects
Plastic bag recycling
Biodegradability
Senior Projects
Implementing school-wide recycling
Possibility to Intern for School Credit
Inquire at
After a 7-month, $16.9 renovation project (ROI: 5 years), fully funded by RIRRC and designed and installed by Van Dyk Recycling Solutions, RI’s new, enhanced recycling system is a truly state-of-the-art Materials Recycling Facility (MRF). The MRF uses a combination of manual, mechanical, and optical sorting technology to turn mixed recyclables into separate, saleable commodities.
5 Key Features
Star Screens: The facility uses four different star screens: One for separating large cardboard, two for separating containers from fiber, and one for separating glass from other containers. Star screens are wide steel boxes containing rows of steel shafts. On each individual shaft is a series of star-shaped disks, and depending on the screen, these disks will vary in their composition (e.g. rubber or steel), their size, and their spacing. When the shafts are spinning, their composition, size, and spacing determines which items will move up and over the disks, and which pass through the space between the disks and on to conveyors below.
Overhead Magnet: This is a very large and very powerful permanent magnet that is suspended over the conveyor belt carrying mixed containers. The magnet itself is surrounded by a circular belt that continuously spins, attracting steel and tin cans (but not aluminum, because aluminum does not contain iron). The overhead magnet pulls steel and tin cans off the conveyor belt running below, and releases them at its non-magnetized end onto their own conveyor belt, away from other mixed recyclables.
Eddy Current Separator: The Eddy current separator is used to sort aluminum recyclables that have already passed underneath the permanent magnet. The Eddy current separator creates a changing magnetic field that in turn creates an electric current (called an Eddy current) in the aluminum. This makes aluminum repel away from the conveyor belt, while the remaining containers drop off at the end.
Optical Sorters: There are four optical sorters in the facility. Using their ability to judge how light reflects off various materials differently, these smart “eyes” can distinguish among different materials based on the material type (e.g. PET versus HDPE plastic), shape (i.e. 2-dimensional versus 3-dimensional objects), and color, depending on how we set the controls. They work in conjunction with air compressors, which instantaneously blast a targeted item off the conveyor belt in one direction, to separate out targeted materials while the remaining containers drop off onto a conveyor belt below.
Ballistic Separator: The ballistic separator is essentially a series of side-by-side, rectangular “paddles.” These paddles are sieve-like, with openings through which small bits of material can pass. They are stationed at an angle and move in such a way that 3-D material (i.e. containers) roll back toward the optical sorters, and any plastic film or leftover paper "walks" forward.

9. Read them at: www.rirrc.org/model-schools
Schools that are doing a good job with recycling and waste diversion can have us visit, or submit information and photos.
Read them at:
After a 7-month, $16.9 renovation project (ROI: 5 years), fully funded by RIRRC and designed and installed by Van Dyk Recycling Solutions, RI’s new, enhanced recycling system is a truly state-of-the-art Materials Recycling Facility (MRF). The MRF uses a combination of manual, mechanical, and optical sorting technology to turn mixed recyclables into separate, saleable commodities.
5 Key Features
Star Screens: The facility uses four different star screens: One for separating large cardboard, two for separating containers from fiber, and one for separating glass from other containers. Star screens are wide steel boxes containing rows of steel shafts. On each individual shaft is a series of star-shaped disks, and depending on the screen, these disks will vary in their composition (e.g. rubber or steel), their size, and their spacing. When the shafts are spinning, their composition, size, and spacing determines which items will move up and over the disks, and which pass through the space between the disks and on to conveyors below.
Overhead Magnet: This is a very large and very powerful permanent magnet that is suspended over the conveyor belt carrying mixed containers. The magnet itself is surrounded by a circular belt that continuously spins, attracting steel and tin cans (but not aluminum, because aluminum does not contain iron). The overhead magnet pulls steel and tin cans off the conveyor belt running below, and releases them at its non-magnetized end onto their own conveyor belt, away from other mixed recyclables.
Eddy Current Separator: The Eddy current separator is used to sort aluminum recyclables that have already passed underneath the permanent magnet. The Eddy current separator creates a changing magnetic field that in turn creates an electric current (called an Eddy current) in the aluminum. This makes aluminum repel away from the conveyor belt, while the remaining containers drop off at the end.
Optical Sorters: There are four optical sorters in the facility. Using their ability to judge how light reflects off various materials differently, these smart “eyes” can distinguish among different materials based on the material type (e.g. PET versus HDPE plastic), shape (i.e. 2-dimensional versus 3-dimensional objects), and color, depending on how we set the controls. They work in conjunction with air compressors, which instantaneously blast a targeted item off the conveyor belt in one direction, to separate out targeted materials while the remaining containers drop off onto a conveyor belt below.
Ballistic Separator: The ballistic separator is essentially a series of side-by-side, rectangular “paddles.” These paddles are sieve-like, with openings through which small bits of material can pass. They are stationed at an angle and move in such a way that 3-D material (i.e. containers) roll back toward the optical sorters, and any plastic film or leftover paper "walks" forward.

10. Some lessons can be adapted to ES or HS
Existing Middle School Curriculum is available on the web at
Some lessons can be adapted to ES or HS
If you have a great lesson, we can help you share it!
After a 7-month, $16.9 renovation project (ROI: 5 years), fully funded by RIRRC and designed and installed by Van Dyk Recycling Solutions, RI’s new, enhanced recycling system is a truly state-of-the-art Materials Recycling Facility (MRF). The MRF uses a combination of manual, mechanical, and optical sorting technology to turn mixed recyclables into separate, saleable commodities.
5 Key Features
Star Screens: The facility uses four different star screens: One for separating large cardboard, two for separating containers from fiber, and one for separating glass from other containers. Star screens are wide steel boxes containing rows of steel shafts. On each individual shaft is a series of star-shaped disks, and depending on the screen, these disks will vary in their composition (e.g. rubber or steel), their size, and their spacing. When the shafts are spinning, their composition, size, and spacing determines which items will move up and over the disks, and which pass through the space between the disks and on to conveyors below.
Overhead Magnet: This is a very large and very powerful permanent magnet that is suspended over the conveyor belt carrying mixed containers. The magnet itself is surrounded by a circular belt that continuously spins, attracting steel and tin cans (but not aluminum, because aluminum does not contain iron). The overhead magnet pulls steel and tin cans off the conveyor belt running below, and releases them at its non-magnetized end onto their own conveyor belt, away from other mixed recyclables.
Eddy Current Separator: The Eddy current separator is used to sort aluminum recyclables that have already passed underneath the permanent magnet. The Eddy current separator creates a changing magnetic field that in turn creates an electric current (called an Eddy current) in the aluminum. This makes aluminum repel away from the conveyor belt, while the remaining containers drop off at the end.
Optical Sorters: There are four optical sorters in the facility. Using their ability to judge how light reflects off various materials differently, these smart “eyes” can distinguish among different materials based on the material type (e.g. PET versus HDPE plastic), shape (i.e. 2-dimensional versus 3-dimensional objects), and color, depending on how we set the controls. They work in conjunction with air compressors, which instantaneously blast a targeted item off the conveyor belt in one direction, to separate out targeted materials while the remaining containers drop off onto a conveyor belt below.
Ballistic Separator: The ballistic separator is essentially a series of side-by-side, rectangular “paddles.” These paddles are sieve-like, with openings through which small bits of material can pass. They are stationed at an angle and move in such a way that 3-D material (i.e. containers) roll back toward the optical sorters, and any plastic film or leftover paper "walks" forward.

11. Contact: Krystal Noiseux knoiseux@rirrc.org 942-1430 x 109
After a 7-month, $16.9 renovation project (ROI: 5 years), fully funded by RIRRC and designed and installed by Van Dyk Recycling Solutions, RI’s new, enhanced recycling system is a truly state-of-the-art Materials Recycling Facility (MRF). The MRF uses a combination of manual, mechanical, and optical sorting technology to turn mixed recyclables into separate, saleable commodities.
5 Key Features
Star Screens: The facility uses four different star screens: One for separating large cardboard, two for separating containers from fiber, and one for separating glass from other containers. Star screens are wide steel boxes containing rows of steel shafts. On each individual shaft is a series of star-shaped disks, and depending on the screen, these disks will vary in their composition (e.g. rubber or steel), their size, and their spacing. When the shafts are spinning, their composition, size, and spacing determines which items will move up and over the disks, and which pass through the space between the disks and on to conveyors below.
Overhead Magnet: This is a very large and very powerful permanent magnet that is suspended over the conveyor belt carrying mixed containers. The magnet itself is surrounded by a circular belt that continuously spins, attracting steel and tin cans (but not aluminum, because aluminum does not contain iron). The overhead magnet pulls steel and tin cans off the conveyor belt running below, and releases them at its non-magnetized end onto their own conveyor belt, away from other mixed recyclables.
Eddy Current Separator: The Eddy current separator is used to sort aluminum recyclables that have already passed underneath the permanent magnet. The Eddy current separator creates a changing magnetic field that in turn creates an electric current (called an Eddy current) in the aluminum. This makes aluminum repel away from the conveyor belt, while the remaining containers drop off at the end.
Optical Sorters: There are four optical sorters in the facility. Using their ability to judge how light reflects off various materials differently, these smart “eyes” can distinguish among different materials based on the material type (e.g. PET versus HDPE plastic), shape (i.e. 2-dimensional versus 3-dimensional objects), and color, depending on how we set the controls. They work in conjunction with air compressors, which instantaneously blast a targeted item off the conveyor belt in one direction, to separate out targeted materials while the remaining containers drop off onto a conveyor belt below.
Ballistic Separator: The ballistic separator is essentially a series of side-by-side, rectangular “paddles.” These paddles are sieve-like, with openings through which small bits of material can pass. They are stationed at an angle and move in such a way that 3-D material (i.e. containers) roll back toward the optical sorters, and any plastic film or leftover paper "walks" forward.