Waste Expo Coverage – Handling C&D Material

During the recently concluded Waste Expo program, the issue of operating a construction and demolition materials recycling plant was the subject of a session that touched on the opportunities, as well as problems identified by two C&D recycling companies.

Greg Wirsen, with consulting firm Green Seal Environmental Inc., Sandwich, Mass., stressed that one of the most important things to do is perform a detailed analysis of the operation as an initial step. Some of the steps that need to be taken in the early stages include identifying preliminary steps of market identification prior to initial capital outlay; and present processing concepts based on markets, value of recyclables and uses of extracted recyclables.

With the environment toward building many C&D facilities so difficult, Wirsen also stressed the importance of working on the siting process. Some of the issues that will crop up when looking at either building or expanding an existing facility include the following: zoning, NIMBY, accessibility, traffic, environmental issues, the distance to markets, local, state and federal regulations, and the use of setbacks.

In discussing some of these issues, Wirsen suggested that a company should look at a couple of key issues before spending the time and money to build an operation. Find out if local zoning ordinances allow the a C&D facility. Also, “Is the site large enough to provide adequate setbacks, both now and when the facility gets bigger?” Also, he suggests that a company find out if the proposed operation is highly accessible, and will the site product traffic impacts.

Wirsen also asks, “Have you identified all permits, timelines and regulatory hurdles to make the site viable?”

While the siting process can take years and a significant amount of money, once the facility is operational a company needs to make sure that the equipment that is chosen to be used is compatible with the material that it is taking in. Some of the questions that need to be asked in regards to equipment include the following:

What pieces of equipment will best suit the ‘main markets?

How many tons per hour can the equipment process?

What are the anticipated maintenance costs?

Will kick sorting be necessary?

What will be picked out on the picking line?

Will the facility utilize a positive or negative sort method?

Jonathon Hixon, vice president of ERRCO, a C&D recycling firm based in Epping, N.H., is focused on the operations of his company’s C&D site. One of the first areas of importance, he said, is to ensure that the C&D site is located near a highway or other main transportation artery. At the same time, he noted, ERRCO’s facility is surrounded by abutters that would not create complaints about the company’s daily operations.

The success of ERRCO also is due to the company’s ability to handle a wide range of materials. One of the benefits of ERRCO is that the company is able to make many different products, according to markets.

The company forecasts a 30 percent increase in the annual permitted tonnage for this year. Additionally, the company is building a new transfer station on its existing site.

While the company has been able to collect a significant amount of recyclable materials through its C&D material, the company also is very vigilant with ensuring that the material being delivered to the site does not contain asbestos, or other contaminants.

While both speakers stressed the importance of recycling as much as possible, a very important factor is ensuring that the processor develops a strong relationship with the landfill manager. This removes a significant amount of the surprises when shipping any material for final disposal.