C&D Waste Processing: Sorting, Shredding and Classification
C&D waste is one of the main waste streams generated in cities, and improper disposal remains a challenge for municipalities and contractors. CONAMA Resolution No. 307/2002 prohibits irregular disposal and requires proper destination with priority for reuse and recycling. Brazil generates more than 120 million tons of C&D waste per year (Abrecon), of which only 15% is recycled.
Processing involves two fronts: mineral materials (concrete, masonry, ceramics) that become recycled aggregates via crushing, and recyclable materials (wood, metals, plastics, gypsum) that need to be separated and individually disposed. Jaguar Industrial supplies sorting, two-shaft pre-shredding (PR4000/PR5000), particle size classification and metal extraction. The mineral crushing of concrete into aggregate is done by third-party crushers.
Note: the jaw or impact crusher for mineral materials is not supplied by Jaguar.
Jaguar Equipment in C&D Processing
| Stage | Equipment | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Sorting | Manual Sorting Station (MSS) | Separation of wood, metals, plastics, gypsum |
| Two-shaft pre-shredding | PR4000/PR5000 | Reduces bulky C&D; wood into 50-200 mm chips for biomass or RDF |
| Ferrous extraction | Magnetic separators | Removal of hardware and contaminants |
| Aggregate classification | Trommel Screen | Separation into sand, gravel, crushed stone |
| Complementary classification | Disc Classifier | Precise particle size separation |
Typical C&D Recycling Center Process
- Reception and weighing — C&D received in hopper or yard, with entry control.
- Manual sorting (MSS) — Separation of Class B materials: wood (for shredding), metals (sale), plastics (recycling), gypsum (specific destination). Models MSS-6000 (up to 15 ton/h), MSS-9000 (15-30 ton/h), MSS-12000 (30-60 ton/h).
- Two-shaft pre-shredding — PR4000/PR5000 — Reduces wood, gypsum, plastics and other bulky demolition material. Pallets, formwork, doors and crates are shredded into 50-200 mm chips for biomass, composting or RDF. Replaceable blade inserts resist nails and screws and are swapped out quickly when worn.
- Ferrous extraction (pre-crushing) — Magnetic separator removes hardware from concrete and masonry.
- Crushing — Jaw or impact crusher (complementary equipment) generates 0-100 mm aggregates.
- Classification (Trommel Screen) — Separation into fractions:
| Fraction | Particle Size | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Recycled sand | 0-5 mm | Non-structural concrete, mortar |
| Fine gravel | 5-25 mm | Concrete, drainage |
| Recycled crushed stone | 25-75 mm | Pavement base, landfills |
- Ferrous extraction (post-crushing) — Second magnetic pass removes remaining contaminants.
- Storage by fraction — Separate bays for commercialization.
Recycled Aggregate Markets
| Application | Standard | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pavement base/sub-base | NBR 15115 | 30-50% lower cost than natural |
| Non-structural concrete | NBR 15116 | fck 10-20 MPa |
| Fills and grading | — | High availability |
| Drainage | — | Coarse crushed stone (25-75 mm) |
Additional revenue from sorting recyclables: metals, processed wood (biomass/RDF), plastics.
Equipment for C&D
| Equipment | Models | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Manual Sorting Station | MSS-6000 / MSS-9000 / MSS-12000 | 15-60 ton/h |
| Two-shaft pre-shredders | PR4000 (300 hp) / PR5000 (400 hp) | 20-30 ton/h |
| Trommel Screen | TR2.5/8/10 / TR3/10/12 / TR3/12/14 | 110-210 m3/h |
| Disc Classifier | CDD Series | 5-15 ton/h |
| Ferrous metal extractor | Permanent magnets | Continuous, 0 kW |
Trommels for C&D are reinforced with 15 mm plates, optionally rubber-lined.
Capacity References
| Scale | Reception Capacity |
|---|---|
| Small | Up to 15 ton/h |
| Medium | 15-30 ton/h |
| Large | 30-60 ton/h |
For each scale, the Jaguar line combines a sorting station, two-shaft pre-shredder, trommel screen, disc classifier and ferrous extractor according to the desired capacity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is C&D waste? C&D waste stands for construction and demolition waste — the material generated by construction sites, renovations and demolitions, such as concrete, masonry, ceramics, wood, metals, plastics and gypsum. CONAMA Resolution No. 307/2002 prohibits irregular disposal and requires proper destination, with priority for reuse and recycling.
What volume of C&D waste does Brazil generate? Brazil generates more than 120 million tons of C&D waste per year (Abrecon), of which only 15% is recycled.
What does the Jaguar line process in C&D waste? Jaguar Industrial supplies sorting (Manual Sorting Station MSS), two-shaft pre-shredding (PR4000/PR5000), particle size classification (Trommel Screen and Disc Classifier) and ferrous metal extraction (magnetic separators). The mineral crushing of concrete into aggregate is supplied by third parties.
Does Jaguar supply concrete crushing? No. The mineral crushing of concrete into aggregate is supplied by third parties, using a jaw or impact crusher. Jaguar supplies the sorting stage, the two-shaft C&D pre-shredder (PR4000/PR5000), particle size classification and metal extraction.
What are the destinations of the processed material? Recycled aggregates go to applications by fraction: recycled sand (0-5 mm) for non-structural concrete and mortar; fine gravel (5-25 mm) for concrete and drainage; recycled crushed stone (25-75 mm) for pavement base and landfills. Wood shredded into 50-200 mm chips goes to biomass, composting or RDF, and extracted metals are sold for recycling.
How do I specify a C&D recycling center? Sizing starts from the desired reception capacity. Jaguar line references: MSS-6000 up to 15 ton/h, MSS-9000 from 15 to 30 ton/h and MSS-12000 from 30 to 60 ton/h for sorting; PR4000/PR5000 at 20-30 ton/h for two-shaft pre-shredding; trommel screens at 110-210 m³/h for aggregate classification. The typical process includes reception, sorting, pre-shredding, ferrous extraction, crushing (third party), classification and storage by fraction.
