The Indiana House of Representatives voted to allow a construction and demolition (C&D) debris recycling facility in Gary, Indiana, that will be located 600 feet from residences, a report by The Times of Northwest Indiana says. House Bill (HB) 1318 was approved 89-3 by the House and will move to the Senate for a vote.
House approval was needed for the project because a Lake County law states landfills of any kind must be located at least a half-mile from the nearest residence. Rep. Earl Harris (D-East Chicago), says in the report the facility is not a landfill in the traditional sense, but will be used to hold reclaimed materials such as brick, stone and wood until they can be reused, recycled or disposed.
Any potentially hazardous materials, such as appliances, asbestos or hazardous waste, will be taken off-site for disposal, the report says.
The city is looking to start a facility because it plans to demolish 6,000 blighted homes. The report says the city will save $20 million in transportation costs and tipping fees if the facility is built. Gary will also financially benefit from the materials being recycled or reused.
The site for the facility is still to be determined.