The world’s leading force in noise control — experience the Hushtec difference.
Noise Control Finder
The world’s leading force in noise control — experience the Hushtec difference.
Noise Control Finder
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Noise Control for Anywhere (Yes, Even Underwater)
From construction chaos to underwater builds and film sets where silence is golden — we’ve got the tools to hush it all. Whether your project’s on land, sea, or somewhere in between, we’ll help you shut the noise down without slowing things up.
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Noise at a recycling plant can come from different stages of the operation, from unloading and handling materials to crushing and processing. Machinery running near the site boundary can also affect nearby properties. Common sources include:
| Plant Zone | Primary Noise Sources |
| Receiving, sorting and handling | Forklifts and loaders, conveyors, tipping and discharge, vehicle movements and reversing alarms |
| Shredding and crushing | Battery shredders, crushers and breakers, granulators, high-torque drives and impact on steel chutes and hoppers |
| Separation and material recovery | Air separation, magnetic and eddy current separators, screens, vibrating feeders |
| Air handling and extraction | Dust and fume extraction fans, blowers, baghouse and ventilation plant, compressors, often running continuously |
| Building envelope and boundary | Combined noise escaping doors, louvres and roof vents and reaching the nearest neighbour |
Urban mining plants that recover metals from end-of-life electronics and mixed e-waste share the same core equipment: shredders, granulators, separators and extraction.
| Source | Representative Level |
| Lithium battery shredding line | ~70 dB average, up to ~85 dB (manufacturer-indicated levels in Australia permit application) |
| Crusher inside a soundproof cabin (lead-acid breaker line) | ~85 dB(A) at 1.5 m (equipment specification in Australia permit application) |
| Battery dismantling and powder separation equipment | Below 85 dB within 3 m (typical procurement specification) |
| Building interior housing shredder, separator and blower | Up to ~85 dB LAeq (Australia noise assessment of a recycling plant) |
| Extraction fans and ventilation plant | Varies by equipment, confirmed via site assessment |
These are representative values from public permit applications, planning documents and equipment specifications, not Hushtec measurements. They are levels at or near the equipment, not at your boundary. Actual levels vary with equipment, throughput, and building construction, and a Hushtec site assessment confirms your plant’s profile.
Noise regulation in Australia is state-based, not national. Battery and e-waste recycling facilities above a threshold capacity need an operating licence from the state EPA, and a planning approval from the local council or state planning authority. In Victoria, for example, EPA Victoria assessed a mixed-battery recycling facility for impacts including noise, waste, odour and dust, and a council planning permit was also required. In NSW, a planning panel approved a battery sorting and transfer station, with the EPA reviewing the proposal, including noise.
The EPA assesses a battery recycling plant in NSW against its Noise Policy for Industry (2017). One key check is whether the plant’s noise would stand out against the usual background noise. The policy generally uses a threshold of 5 dB(A) above background levels for this check. It also considers the type of area the plant is in, as noise expectations differ between residential, commercial and industrial locations. Outside NSW, different state and territory rules apply.
Workplace noise is covered separately under the model Work Health and Safety Regulations. The exposure standard is an LAeq, 8h of 85 dB(A) or an LC, peak of 140 dB(C). State and territory WHS regulators enforce these requirements, which can influence the need for enclosures and barriers inside processing buildings.
| Noise Source | Hushtec Product |
| Shredders, crushers, granulators | Custom Shroud, custom acoustic enclosures |
| Extraction fans, blowers, compressors | Custom Shroud, MLV wrap |
| Building interior, reverberation off hard surfaces | STC Panels, absorption panels |
| Yard, loading bay and site boundary | AcoustiShield Permanent Noise Wall, Hushwall Permanent System |
| Temporary works, commissioning and maintenance shutdowns | Portable Hushwall, Acoustic Tent range |
Mainly the shredders and crushers, the separation equipment, and the air handling plant: extraction fans, blowers and compressors that run continuously. Yard handling and vehicle movements add to it, and noise escaping through doors, louvres, and roof vents often sets the boundary level.
There isn’t one noise limit for every recycling plant in Australia. Each state and territory has its own requirements. In NSW, the EPA considers background noise, how intrusive the plant’s noise may be, and the surrounding area’s noise expectations. The intrusiveness trigger is generally 5 dB(A) above background noise. The limits that apply to your site will depend on its location and operating conditions./p>
The state EPA through the operating licence, the local council or state planning authority through the planning approval, and state and territory WHS regulators for occupational noise.
Often, yes. Enclosure design depends on the equipment, access for feeding and maintenance, heat, ventilation and explosion relief. That is why the assessment includes your plant and safety teams.
Hushtec products are built from fire-rated and fire-retardant materials, which matters on a site where fire is the first concern. Fire detection, suppression and thermal runaway protection are separate engineering disciplines and are not part of Hushtec’s noise control products. Our systems are designed to coexist with them, and a specialist confirms the rating for each product on your site.
Yes. Retrofit enclosures and barriers are common after a complaint or an EPA compliance notice, and the process starts with the same site assessment used for new plants.
Yes. Site assessment and acoustic modelling are part of the same service as design and installation, handled by one team.
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We’re here to answer any questions you may have.
USA & Canada: 201-679-1268
New Zealand: 0800 111 783
Australia: 1800 863 636
Europe & UK: +44 777 111 5472
Book a meeting with a Hushtec acoustic consultant to discuss your project requirements, operational challenges, and compliance goals.
We’re collaborators - We build tight-knit partnerships with our clients.
"Hushtec panels are awesome! They helped us better manage noise on site, improved privacy and safety for our crew, and gave us free branding with our logo printed on them. Highly recommend."
" I used to think noise barrier blankets didn’t work until I tried the Hushtec panels. These reduced our noise on-site immediately, which enabled us to continue works throughout the night on an urgent project, saving our customer thousands and helping complete the project before scheduled. The team is also very knowledgeable and helpful, couldn’t ask for more. "
"We recently installed the Hushtec Acoustishield Wall around a large generator compound,and we couldn't be more impressed with the results. The Acoustishield system was by far the easiest noise reduction system we've ever worked with-quick to assemble and straightforward to install. Beyond its ease of use, the performance has been exceptional. It achieved an impressive 31dB noise reduction from our containerized generators, far exceeding our expectations. The quality and effectiveness of the Acoustishield Wall have set a new benchmark for us in noise control solutions. We highly recommend Hushtec for any project where noise reduction is critical."
Our products and service consistently meet the high expectations of leading companies in construction, manufacturing, and demolition, earning their ongoing trust and partnership.
