Lancaster County Waste Authority Receives SWANA 2009 Excellence Award

The Solid Waste Association of North America is pleased to announce the Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority was awarded SWANA’s Gold Excellence in Solid Waste Management Award.

The award will be publicly presented at WASTECON, SWANA’s annual solid waste exposition, on September 24 in Long Beach, California.

LCSWMA is being presented the Excellence Award for the redevelopment of the Transfer Station Complex at 1299 Harrisburg Pike in Lancaster. The Transfer Station Complex plays a very important role in Lancaster County’s integrated solid waste management system.

The complex was constructed between 2005 and 2008 on the site of the former transfer station and on adjacent parcels which consisted of a former brownfield, remediated by LCSWMA, and vacant properties. The resulting design of the new facilities reflects and honors the historical heritage of Lancaster County by utilizing 100 percent brick façades on all the buildings.

“SWANA is pleased to honor the Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority for the outstanding accomplishments they have achieved. Their commitment to advancing solid waste management is outstanding and we are very proud of their efforts.” said John H. Skinner, Ph.D. SWANA’s Executive Director and CEO.

“We are proud of the Transfer Station Complex as it has proved to be a valuable asset to the citizens of Lancaster County. We have been humbled by the overwhelmingly positive responses we have received from customers or those that just drive by. We are pleased that our solid waste peers have recognized it with this award.” said Jim Warner, LCSWMA’s Executive Director.

SWANA’s Excellence Awards Program recognizes outstanding solid waste programs and facilities that promote socially, environmentally and economically sound management of solid waste. Award winners demonstrate their commitment to environmental regulation compliance, program efficiency, safety and progress.

LCSWMA’s mission is to manage solid waste and recyclable materials in an environmentally sage, reliable and efficient manner. It is recognized throughout North America as a leader in the field of solid waste management. LCSWMA operates an integrated solid waste management system which primarily serves Lancaster County, Pa.

The system handled approximately 625,000 tons of waste in 2008 and consists of:

-- A 2,200 tons per day transfer station;

-- A drive-through permanent household hazardous waste facility;

-- A 36 megawatt, 1,200 tons per day mass burn waste-to-energy facility operated by Covanta;

-- A 2,000 tons per day sanitary landfill;

-- A 3.2 megawatt landfill gas-to-energy plant - owned and operated by PPL; and

-- A county-wide recycling program that has achieved a 38% recycling rate.

The LCSWMA LFGTE and WTE facilities generate enough renewable energy from waste to power 1 out of 6 homes in Lancaster County.

For more information, visit the Authority website.