September 21, 2026
Electric Without Limits: Why EDGE Innovate Leads Electrification in Recycling Equipment
Electrification is reshaping the recycling and waste processing industry. But for EDGE Innovate, it isn’t new territory. With over 20 years of electric-drive engineering behind every machine in the range, EDGE has been building, testing, and refining electric solutions since long before the wider industry conversation caught up.
That depth of experience is what gives operators confidence: every electric and hybrid machine in the lineup has been proven through thousands of hours of real-world application. Behind that experience sits a proactive R&D department constantly working on new designs and innovations, utilising the latest technologies to push electric-drive performance further with every product generation. Two decades of continuous development means EDGE understands what works in the field, not just on paper. Electric drive architecture is designed into every machine from the ground up, delivering performance that operators can trust shift after shift.
Electric Waste Shredders: Hybrid Power That Doesn’t Compromise on Throughput
The EDGE VS420E hybrid electric waste shredder is built on that foundation. Two 132kW electric motors replace a traditional 310kW diesel engine, delivering identical torque and throughput at a fraction of the running cost. A compact 55kW diesel handles tracking and setup functions, so the machine retains full site mobility without sacrificing electric efficiency.
Plug into the grid on site. Switch to diesel for repositioning. Operate indoors where emissions and noise restrictions apply. The VS420E processes C&D waste, green waste, biomass, and MSW on sites across the world today. Connect to the grid and start shredding within minutes. Switch between power modes with zero reconfiguration. That simplicity comes from 20 years of refining how electric systems integrate with heavy-duty processing equipment.
That engineering has earned external recognition too. EDGE Innovate’s electric-powered twin shaft high torque waste shredder won “Technology of the Year” at the MEWAR awards, with the judging panel highlighting its environmental benefits, energy efficiency, noise reduction, and significant contribution to the waste management sector. The ability to finely shred difficult materials while supporting better recycling and waste reduction positions the technology as a genuine contributor to circular economy principles.
At the larger end, the VS750 series delivers fully electric high-capacity shredding for permanent installations. At 51 tonnes with twin shafts and intelligent load management, these electric waste shredders handle commercial waste, bulky waste, and alternative fuel production at continuous high volume.
Dual Power Scalping Screens: The ScreenPro Series
The ScreenPro series scalping screens are available with dual power as standard, giving operators the flexibility to run from diesel or mains electric supply depending on site conditions. Plug in where power is available; run independently where it isn’t. This dual power configuration has already proved popular among customers across Europe and Scandinavia, where grid access on recycling sites is increasingly common and operators want the option to eliminate fuel costs entirely during static operation. When the job demands mobility, diesel takes over seamlessly. The reliability of this system reflects years of engineering dual power platforms that transition between sources without interruption or loss of performance.
Electric Trommels: Direct Electric Drive for Screening and Separation
Mobile trommels across the EDGE range are available with a direct electric power source option. Hydraulics eliminated entirely. Maximum efficiency, minimal mechanical complexity. Fewer moving parts means less maintenance, less downtime, and lower lifetime cost.
For permanent or semi-permanent screening installations, electric trommels deliver the same separation performance while cutting fuel costs to zero and enabling indoor operation. EDGE’s experience engineering electric drives across different machine types means the trommel range benefits from proven motor control, power management, and thermal performance developed over two decades of iteration.
Dual Power Stackers: Electric Flexibility for Material Handling
Across the stacking and material handling range, EDGE dual power stackers run from diesel or mains electric supply. The flexibility to switch between power sources means operators aren’t locked into a single mode of operation.
For stockpiling operations running extended shifts, electric mode dramatically reduces running costs. For sites without reliable grid access, or during repositioning between stockpiles, diesel keeps the machine moving. This isn’t a recent addition to the range. EDGE has offered dual power stacking solutions for years, and that maturity shows in the seamless transition between modes and the long-term reliability operators depend on.
The Economics of Electric Recycling Equipment
Operators running electric and hybrid EDGE equipment report significantly lower fuel costs, reduced servicing intervals, and higher uptime. When a machine stops burning 40+ litres of diesel per hour, savings compound fast. When there are fewer hydraulic hoses, filters, and fluids to maintain, scheduled downtime shrinks.
For multi-shift or high-volume operations, the total cost of ownership gap between electric and conventional diesel recycling equipment grows wider every year the machine runs. The payback period on electric and hybrid configurations is shorter than most operators expect, and EDGE’s two decades of field data helps customers model those savings accurately before they invest.
Indoor Operation and Noise Reduction: Go Where Diesel Can’t
Zero direct emissions. Dramatically lower noise. Electric EDGE equipment operates inside enclosed buildings, in urban environments, and in facilities under strict environmental permitting. For operators siting processing equipment closer to waste sources (cutting transport costs and carbon further), electric power removes barriers that diesel never will.
This matters for waste shredders operating in MRFs, trommels running inside transfer stations, and scalping screens deployed in noise-sensitive urban locations. Electric isn’t just cleaner. It opens up sites that were previously off-limits.
20 Years of Electric-Drive Engineering. Proven Across Every Application.
EDGE’s IFAT 2026 presence, themed “Electric Without Limits,” reinforced a commitment that started two decades ago: electric and hybrid technology engineered for the demands of real recycling operations. With dual power scalping screens, electric trommels, hybrid waste shredders, and dual power stackers already proven on sites worldwide, operators choosing EDGE are choosing equipment built on experience. Every machine in the electric range carries 20 years of lessons learned, engineering refinement, and field-proven reliability.
As Darragh Cullen, EDGE Innovate Managing Director, puts it: “Ultimately, I look forward to the day when there is no diesel powered equipment leaving our facilities.”
That’s the direction. And with two decades of electric engineering already behind it, EDGE is closer than most.
ABOUT EDGE INNOVATE
EDGE Innovate develops, manufacturers and markets sophisticated technologies for shredding, stacking, screening and sorting of primary and secondary raw materials in production processes and recycling. Our Material handling and recycling range is made up of reliable, durable and cost saving products with a wide range of mobile stockpilers, tracked stackers, tracked and mobile feeders, trommels, slow-speed waste shredders, picking stations, material classifiers, roll-sizers and truck off-loaders. Our product range allows our customers; to shred, screen, separate, stockpile and size a vast array of materials
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Frequently Asked Questions About Electric Recycling Equipment
What is electric recycling equipment?
Electric recycling equipment uses electric motors to power machinery that shreds, screens, separates or stockpiles recyclable materials. EDGE Innovate offers electric and hybrid waste shredders, dual power scalping screens, electric trommels and dual power stackers, drawing on over 20 years of electric-drive engineering experience.
What is the difference between electric, hybrid and dual power recycling equipment?
Fully electric recycling equipment uses an electric power supply for processing. Hybrid equipment combines electric and diesel systems for different functions. For example, the EDGE VS420E uses electric motors for shredding and a compact diesel engine for tracking and setup. Dual power equipment, including EDGE ScreenPro scalping screens and dual power stackers, offers diesel or mains electric operation to suit site conditions.
How does the EDGE VS420E hybrid electric waste shredder work?
The EDGE VS420E uses two 132kW electric motors to power its shredding operation, with a separate 55kW diesel engine handling tracking and setup. This configuration combines mains-powered waste processing with site mobility. The VS420E processes materials including construction and demolition waste, green waste, biomass and municipal solid waste.
Can electric waste shredders match diesel-powered performance?
Electric waste shredders can deliver the torque and throughput required for demanding recycling applications. The EDGE VS420E is designed to match the torque and throughput of its conventional 310kW diesel configuration using two 132kW electric motors. Actual throughput depends on the material, feed conditions, machine configuration and required output size.
What are the benefits of a dual power scalping screen?
A dual power scalping screen gives operators a choice between mains electricity and diesel power. The EDGE ScreenPro series offers dual power as standard, allowing sites with a suitable electrical supply to reduce diesel consumption during screening. Diesel operation provides flexibility when mains power is unavailable.
What are the advantages of electric trommels and dual power stackers?
Electric trommels provide screening and separation using an electric power source, reducing reliance on diesel during processing. EDGE offers direct electric-drive options across its mobile trommel range. EDGE dual power stackers give material handling operations the flexibility to use mains electricity where available or diesel power where required.
Does electric recycling equipment cost less to run?
Electric recycling equipment can reduce operating costs by lowering diesel consumption and reducing engine-related servicing during electric operation. Savings depend on electricity tariffs, diesel prices, operating hours, material and site infrastructure. A total cost of ownership comparison should include purchase price, electrical connection costs, energy consumption, maintenance and expected annual utilization.
Can electric recycling equipment operate indoors?
Electric operation avoids diesel exhaust emissions at the machine during mains-powered processing, making suitably configured equipment an option for indoor recycling facilities. Indoor operation still requires an assessment of ventilation, dust extraction, fire protection, noise and material handling. Any auxiliary diesel engine must be considered separately when planning indoor use.
What power supply does electric recycling equipment need?
Power requirements vary by machine and configuration. Before installation, operators should confirm the required voltage, frequency, connection capacity, starting requirements and electrical protection with EDGE Innovate. A site assessment helps establish whether the available mains supply can support the selected shredder, trommel, scalping screen or stacker.
Why choose EDGE Innovate for electric recycling equipment?
EDGE Innovate brings over 20 years of electric-drive engineering experience to recycling and material handling applications. Its range includes the VS420E hybrid electric waste shredder, VS750 series electric shredders, ScreenPro dual power scalping screens, electric trommels and dual power stackers. This breadth gives operators equipment options for different materials, site layouts and power availability.













