WENDT CORPORATION has announced the successful installation of a WENDT M6090 automobile shredder at Island Recycling in Hawaii, replacing a competitor’s underperforming machine. This upgrade has contributed to enhancing Island Recycling’s operational efficiency, throughput, and material recovery. It reinforces their commitment to high-quality processing of recycled materials and environmental sustainability.
Jim Nutter started Island Recycling in 1983, working out of an old shipping container as an office, to help introduce the concept of recycling to Hawaii. As a second-generation family-run business, now under the leadership of Nick Nutter, Island Recycling operates two locations in the state. The company acts as a multi-commodity recycling center, helping public, commercial, and governmental entities keep more than 60,000 tons of recyclable material out of the waste stream per year.
Nick Nutter, President of Island Recycling, initially engaged with WENDT to explore non-ferrous separation solutions. “We sent batches of our automobile shredder residue (ASR) to WENDT’s test facility, revealing that we were losing 16% nonferrous metals into the waste stream,” Nutter explained. “Given Hawaii’s limited and costly landfill space, we recognized the substantial profit margins we were missing in nonferrous metals.”
Facing persistent issues with a competitor’s unreliable shredder, Nutter also turned to WENDT for a replacement solution. “Our previous shredder couldn’t run consistently and failed to meet promised performance levels,” Nutter explained. “We faced issues with inadequate throughput, structural weaknesses like bowing sidewalls, and the drive system completely failed us. To address these challenges, we chose WENDT’s 6090, which offers the reliability and compatibility required for our upgraded operations.”
The WENDT M6090 shredder installed at Island Recycling features a Bowe Disc Rotor, a new infeed conveyor, feed roll assembly, and a pin puller. Initially utilizing a 1,500 HP motor from their previous equipment, the company has since invested in a new 2,500 HP motor with Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) technology from WENDT, scheduled for installation in the second quarter of 2025. The equipment package also includes a nonferrous recovery system with an eddy current separator for aluminum (zorba) recovery and a WENDT TOMRA FINDER to produce a clean aluminum (twitch) package.
Being in Hawaii, Island Recycling required a dependable service and support team for their operations. “Along with the equipment, my biggest issue with the previous shredding plant was the lack of support,” Nutter said. “We now have a responsive support team from WENDT, with quick reaction times to address any issues. The availability of spare parts has also been crucial to our operation.”
Looking ahead, Island Recycling plans to continue growing and enhancing their operations. “We’re excited about the future and the potential for growth with WENDT’s support,” Nutter concluded. “Our new shredder and nonferrous equipment have boosted our profitability and sustainability efforts, aligning with our long-term goals of reducing landfill waste, maximizing resource recovery, and leading the way in recycling technology and sustainability in Hawaii.”
Photos courtesy of WENDT CORPORATION.
