The shredding process produces raw material to be re-introduced into manufacturing, as well as finished products such as landscape mulch. Various terminology is used to describe size reduction equipment, including grinders, chippers, granulators and hammer mills. Overall, their main function is to reduce the size of a given material.
In waste management, industrial shredders for waste products play a very crucial role. The benefits of using mega-shredders in large-scale waste disposal systems recycling centers and municipal landfills are related to material reduction. Asphalt, rubber, wood, plastics and similar materials can be quickly condensed to a mere fraction of their original size. Also of note, the bio-degradable waste decomposes faster when shredded. If properly shredded, the materials that are buried in landfills take much less space.