Patience pays off

Sometimes it takes a leap of faith to introduce innovations; other times, the answers are right under your nose.

For Mazza Recycling, based in Tinton Falls, New Jersey, its adoption of a new optical sorting system at its construction and demolition (C&D) recycling facility involves both. As detailed in our cover story, the company witnessed the success of the technology at its material recovery facility (MRF) in Tinton Falls firsthand and suspected it would be a good fit for its C&D operation.

But getting there required patience as Mazza spent close to five years in careful study and market development. President and CEO Jimmy Mazza says he wanted to find the design that worked best for his company despite facing a tough market. But once Mazza was able to secure end markets, the company worked backwards to design a system that it expects will deliver maximum efficiencies.

Five years is a long time to wait; it requires trust in the process, which Mazza describes as fundamental to its culture. It’s safe to say that patience will pay off as the company expects the system to deliver purity levels in the upper 90s and have the flexibility to sort clean wood, plywood, painted wood and press board.

Today, the company is in the installation and commissioning process, having taken advantage of Van Dyk Recycling Solutions' test facility to preview the results it can expect once the line is operational. Mazza says the team spent hours running material and examining it for quality in addition to experimenting with sorting options.

I can relate somewhat to Mazza’s story because I find myself in a similar situation: I’m asking for patience a lot these days as I learn an exciting new industry. I joined the Recycling Today Media Group in September as managing editor of both this publication and our sister magazine, Waste Today. And while I bring a deep background in journalism, the demolition and environmental services sectors are new to me and, like Mazza, I will have to trust the process and learn quickly.

Let me take this opportunity to introduce myself: Hi, I’m Chris, and I’m looking forward to telling these stories. While I have a lot to learn about the C&D recycling and demolition industries and will be asking plenty of questions and making many connections along the way, I hope you’ll trust me to tell the stories that matter most to you and your industries.

Like Mazza, I’m confident my leap of faith diving into this industry will pay off.

When was the last time your company took a leap of faith? Share your story with me at chsweeney@gie.net.