Confidential shredding is a growth area but you need tough plant to push through profitable volumes. As sole UK agents for the American built range of Allegheny shredders, we can confidently say that there is not a tougher make made.

These shredders will chew through metal ring binders, cassette and video packs like shredded wheat.

The biggest 1000 series will shred up to 15t of paper an hour.

The strength of any shredder lies in the cutters, and these are made from T-18 tool steel and heat treated to optimum Rockwell hardness. They are virtually indestructible and can shear through steel belted radial tyres, a 13 inch steel wrench and ¾ inch steel plate (but please don’t try it).

Designed for low labour content they are coupled to auto feed conveyors which can then be channeled into an in-floor conveyor direct to the baler.

A particular benefit is the low noise levels in operation with little dust. Maintenance requirements are also minimal.

Specification of the model shown here at Evergreen Recycling, Bristol (48-2000C):

• Capacity - 12/15t/hr
• Feed opening - 1219mm
• Shred width (standard) 16mm, others available)
• Motor - 250/300HP
• Weight - 18t
• Dimensions - 3810 x 4780mm
• Safety features - fully integrated emergency stop system
• Operator friendly control panel.

Expanded polystyrene shredding /baling is amply catered for by our own design of polybaler. This extrudes a continuous block of polystyrene compressed at a ratio of 47:1. So returned slab polystyrene waste that may have been delivered in a 40ft artic, for example, can be sent to the recycler in a Transit.

Two models are made. The 200, which compresses 200kgs an hour and a 65, which has an output of 65kgs an hour.

It's Middleton's own design and made in our workshops here. Everyone is amazed at how easy it is to use. The machine first breaks up the slab polystyrene into tennis ball size chunks then an auger compresses the waste into a compact extruded cube nearly a fiftieth of the original bulk making it much easier to handle and recycle.

Any operator should get the cost back within two years, depending on how much waste they generate. Every distribution depot should have one.

Our smaller polybaler 65, above and right
(at Co-op Plympton),