SUMITOMO HEAVY INDUSTRIES TECHNICAL REVIEW

Automated Storage and Retrieval System in Recycle Plazas

Hiroomi KAMIJO

A recycle plaza is a facility for recovering resources from waste or for recycling resources disposed as waste. An automated storage and retrieval system is installed upstream at a recycle plaza. Its functions are to receive containers dedicated to each recyclable waste (i.e. cans, glass bottles, PET bottles etc.) collected from homes by mobile packers and to transfer them to a classification line. The automated storage and retrieval system is designed considering the working environment in addition to the original objectives of space and manpower savings for an automated warehouse. An inventory control computer controls the containers for classifying wastes into their types and also provides flexibility to handle diversified and various wastes in future. Many inquiries have been received from local governments about the automated storage and retrieval system. Adoption and installation is anticipated by the governments.