The Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority has recovered over 102,300 tons of ferrous metals from the ash of its resource recover facility since the facility began operation in 1991 and has generated an income of over $200,000 annually.

The system is designed to remove aluminum, brass, copper and precious metals, the system was installed by the facility operator, Covanta Lancaster, at no cost to the Authority.

Since the Resource Recovery Facility began commercial operations in 1991, over 102,300 tons of ferrous metals have been removed from the ash and recycled. An additional 250 tons a year of nonferrous metals are expected to be recovered from the ash.

These recovered metals will be sold to recycling markets and the proceeds, estimated at $200,000 per year will be split evenly between the Authority and Covanta Lancaster.

“Adding the nonferrous recovery system at this time makes economic and operational sense. The recovery technology has matured and become reliable. Removing the nonferrous and precious metals from the ash further refines the County’s recycling efforts.” said Jim Warner, LCSWMA Executive Director.

Jim Klecko, Covanta Lancaster General Manager said, “Nonferrous recovery systems are also being installed in other Covanta Energy-from-Waste (EfW) facilities in the United States. About 30 percent of all EfW in the U.S. have non-ferrous recovery systems and we’re proud to be a part of that number.”

NewsClip: DEP Approves American Ash Recycling Process Request

12/28/2007