Resource Recovery awarded for recycling systems excellence

THE R.I. RESOURCE RECOVERY CORP., which operates the Central Landfill in Johnston, was recognized by the Solid Waste Association of North America for
THE R.I. RESOURCE RECOVERY CORP., which operates the Central Landfill in Johnston, was recognized by the Solid Waste Association of North America for "Recycling Systems Excellence" last month following the RIRRC's 2012 retrofit of its recycling facility.

JOHNSTON – The Solid Waste Association of North America has recognized R.I. Resource Recovery Corporation for “Recycling Systems Excellence,” RIRRC announced Thursday.

Sarah Kite, director of recycling services for RIRRC, and Brian Dubis, the facility operations supervisor, accepted the award Sept. 19 at Wastecon, the Solid Waste Association’s national conference in Long Beach, Calif. RIRRC was also recognized at the Southern New England Solid Waste Association’s chapter conference on Oct. 21.

“To be recognized by such a distinguished organization in our industry is a true honor,” said Mike O’Connell, executive director of RIRRC. “When we launched Recycle Together RI, we knew that it would have many benefits – to our municipalities, our economy and the overall environmental well-being of our state. This award recognizes the hard work completed by our entire staff to make single stream recycling a success and verifies the commitment our state has made to be leaders in recycling.”

RIRRC – the company responsible for operating the Central Landfill in Johnston – converted its materials recycling facility from dual-stream recycling to single-stream recycling in June 2012 with the launch of the Recycle Together RI program. The retrofit combined new machinery with existing equipment to improve efficiency. The new automated system, built for half the cost of building a single-stream facility from the ground up, processes 50 tons of recyclables per hour.

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Since the retrofit, baled product shipments have increased 15 percent due to the recovery of additional materials, lower loss of recyclables to residue and a rise in inbound tonnage, RIRRC said. Each year, profits realized from the sale of Rhode Island recyclables are shared respectively among the state’s municipalities.

The fiscal year 2013 profits shared among the municipalities totaled $740,626, after Rhode Island’s 39 cities and towns recycled 95,323 tons of recycled material. These shared revenues are earmarked to be reinvested into recycling programs, helping to support public education programs that increase waste diversion and proper recycling methods in Rhode Island.

“The recipients of the Solid Waste Association of North America Excellence Awards represent the best solid waste management practices in North America today,” said John H. Skinner, executive director and CEO of the Solid Waste Association. “Community leaders should be very proud of the valuable contributions that these projects provide to their citizens.”

The Solid Waste Association Excellence Awards Program recognizes outstanding solid waste programs and facilities that advance the practice of environmentally and economically sound solid waste management. Programs also must demonstrate that they are fiscally and environmentally responsible through their compliance with all applicable federal, state and local regulations.

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