Covanta to Build $45m Recycling Facility to Complement Indianapolis Waste to Energy Plant
New Jersey based waste to energy and recycling firm, Covanta (NYSE: CVA) to build a $45 million recycling facility in Indianapolis. According to the company, once operational the facility will increase the amount of material recycled in Indianapolis by as much as 500%. The Covanta Advanced Recycling Center, announced by Mayor Greg Ballard as part of his plan to bring recycling to all single family homes in Indianapolis, is to be built adjacent to Covanta’s existing waste to energy facility (pictured) and is designed to recover recyclables from mixed municipal solid waste. The company added that the facility is said to be modelled after successfully operating recycling facilities in Europe, and will feature the latest mechanical and sensor-based technologies - supported by skilled operators. “The Covanta Advanced Recycling Center, combined with our Energy-from-Waste facility, will create a first-of-its-kind, next-generation system for sustainably managing waste in North America,” commented Anthony J. Orlando, Covanta president and chief executive officer. Covanta said that the facility will accomplish the following: Recover up to 80% to 90% of recyclable materials, increasing recycling by approximately 500% Reduce greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to removing 40,000 cars from the road every year and save the energy equivalent of the annual energy use of more than 20,000 homes Complement the existing waste to energy facility by sharing trucks and maintaining current traffic flow and avoiding additional vehicle emissions and burdens on road infrastructure Help the State of Indiana take a major step forward in recycling, supporting the new state-wide recycling goal of 50%. “Covanta’s Advanced Recycling Center provides a common sense solution that makes Indy a much more sustainable city,” commented Ballard. “This state-of-the-art facility will take Indy from a 10% recycling participation rate to 100 percent without any new government mandates, fees or tax increases. It is a win-win-win for the city, its residents and the environment,” added the Mayor. The recycling plan is expected to give an important boost to the local economy, providing approximately 70 jobs will be created during construction of the facility and 60 permanent, full-time workers will be hired to operate the facility. However, the plan is subject to approval from the City’s Board of Public Works. Covanta said that it expects the facility to be up and running in 2016, following the receipt of necessary permits. Read More VIDEO: Obama Announces Action on Waste Plastic as Part of Plan to Clean Up the Oceans The U.S. State Department hosted two-day conference earlier this week which saw new executive actions announced to protect the oceans and cut marine pollution. University Composting Program Expanding with Food Waste Collection Program in Tucson The Environmental Services Department in the City of Tucson, Arizona is to begin a pilot program to collect food waste from local restaurants and grocery stores. EPA Approval for 18.5 MW Waste to Energy Gasification Plant in Perth, Australia New Energy Corporation’s proposed 18.5 MW waste to energy gasification facility in Perth has been recommended for approval by Western Australia’s EPA.