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How Sarcan cut transportation costs and improved baling efficiency with the Komar EPC-5

“We use Komar flatteners to flatten PET at a ratio of 4:1 and milk containers at a ratio of 8:1. This has saved us significant costs on transportation. The flattened containers have also contributed to faster baler time which means fewer strokes and a longer life cycle on the baler.” – Carl Ens, Manager, Capital Projects.

Company Description

Sarcan Recycling operates seventy-three beverage container depots and two plastic processing facilities in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. This 900-person operation is one of Canada’s most extensive plastic recycling programs, as other provinces divide operations over several providers.

The Challenge:

Sarcan’s seventy-three depots are spread across the province, some located as far as 500km (311 miles) from their processing facilities. Efficient transportation is a critical part of keeping operating costs low.

The Solution:

FINDING THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT FOR THE JOB
“The Komar flattener has made significant changes for Sarcan. We have 73 depots across the province. We must transport our spotted collection trailers from every one of them back to our processing facilities in Regina and Saskatoon. Any way to reduce the transportation cost benefits us.” – Carl Ens, Manager, Capital Projects.

The Results

4:1 REDUCTION ON PET, 8:1 REDUCTION ON MILK CONTAINERS, MORE EFFICIENT BALING
“We use Komar flatteners to flatten PET at a ratio of 4 to 1, milk containers at a ratio of 8:1. This has saved us significant costs on transportation. The flattened containers have also contributed to faster baler time, which means fewer strokes and a longer life cycle on the baler.” – Carl Ens.

Additional Questions for Carl:

1. How do you choose which sites get Komar equipment?

“The Komar flatteners are used at depots with volumes ranging from 4 million to 30 million containers a year. We constantly evaluate sites for volume and transportation costs to decide where the next Komar units will go.”

2. How do you know how the Komar units are performing?

“We weigh all of our totes and compare the weights of the sites with Komar equipment and those without Komar equipment to understand our actual compaction ratios.”

3. How has Komar improved their design since your first equipment purchase in 2013?

“Komar has made several design changes to the equipment over time, and we believe each change was an improvement. The flattener is easy to install and takes up very little room. The newer auger designs seem to be wearing less, and the wear bars will be easier to change. Overall, the equipment has held up, as we are just starting to change out the flighting and wear bars of the first units we purchased.”

4. What has been your overall experience with Komar and with NexGen?

We have found the Komar flattener extremely reliable and will continue to purchase a few more each year. The support we have had from NexGen has been fantastic. Our mechanics have called the people at NexGen and have been walked through most problems over the phone. I want to thank Doug, his staff, and Komar for providing us with a great product and service.”