CSH Environmental

CRJ Services Supports CSH Environmental in Enhancing Biomass Quality

CSH Environmental Ltd (CSH) is a specialist trade waste operator providing a comprehensive range of waste disposal and management services to both commercial and domestic customers. With over 40 years’ experience, CSH operates one of the most advanced recycling centres serving the Colchester, Chelmsford and Ipswich regions.

A Shared Commitment to the Circular Economy

Much like CRJ Services, CSH is committed to delivering a truly circular economy, reflected in its strapline “Recycling for the Future.” Through the use of advanced recycling technologies, CSH currently diverts 98% of all incoming waste away from landfill, with a clear objective to achieve 100% diversion in the near future.

In 2021 alone, CSH processed 70,085 tonnes of waste, with wood accounting for approximately 13% of the total material received. This wood waste is typically processed and supplied as biomass fuel to a local waste-to-energy facility, where it is converted into green electricity.

Improving Biomass Quality and Market Opportunities

Following a recommendation from another waste management company, CSH approached CRJ Services to explore options for improving its wood processing setup. By increasing the quality of its final biomass product, CSH aimed to broaden the range of outlets available for its processed material.

A key requirement in improving biomass quality is the removal of fine material generated during the shredding process. To address this, CRJ Services supplied a Doppstadt SM 518 trommel, fitted with a 10mm drum. The trommel effectively removed the sub-10mm fine fraction, equating to approximately 10% of the total material, significantly improving the consistency and quality of the biomass output.

Removing Metal Contamination from the Wood Stream

While screening removed the fine fraction, the remaining +10mm wood material still contained a notable amount of metal contamination, which is common within shredded wood streams. To address this, CRJ Services supplied CSH with a Steelweld ECS 1500 Eddy Current Separator.

Thanks to its low infeed height, the ECS 1500 could be fed directly from the trommel, eliminating the need for an additional material handler. Material enters a vibrating infeed hopper before passing over a rare earth drum magnet, which extracts the ferrous metal fraction for stockpiling. The remaining material is then conveyed over a rotating eddy current magnet, ejecting the non-ferrous metals from the stream.

With both ferrous and non-ferrous metals removed, the remaining wood chip is discharged as a clean, metal-free biomass product.

CSH has calculated that the system is removing approximately 2% non-ferrous metals and 4% ferrous metals from the material stream, delivering a substantial uplift in final product quality.

Efficient Processing with Low Operating Costs

Both machines have also delivered strong operational efficiency. The trommel operates at a fuel cost of approximately £1.65 per hour, while the Eddy Current Separator runs at around £1.98 per hour. At an average throughput of 25 tonnes per hour, this equates to fuel costs of just £0.07 per tonne for the trommel and £0.08 per tonne for the ECS.

Supporting Long-Term Sustainability Goals

“It has been a pleasure dealing with Daniel and CSH Environmental. They take their zero waste to landfill target very seriously, and we are thrilled to be able to supply them with quality machinery to assist them in this journey,”
Mike Symons, Area Sales Manager, CRJ Services Ltd

CSH Environmental has been equally positive about the collaboration.

“We have found CRJ Services to be straightforward and proactive. Couldn’t ask for more at the moment,” Daniel Cox, Operations Director, CSH Environmental Ltd

The project demonstrates how targeted investment in screening and separation technology can significantly enhance material quality, reduce contamination, and support ambitious sustainability objectives — while remaining operationally efficient and cost effective.