Republic Services Opens World's Largest Material Recovery Facility

Republic Services Opens World’s Largest Material Recovery Facility

San Jose, CA (PRWEB) August 09, 2012

Today Republic Services, Inc. celebrates the grand opening of the world’s largest material recovery facility (MRF) at the Newby Island Resource Recovery Park. The 110 tons-per-hour (tph) multi-stream system – designed, manufactured, and installed by Bulk Handling Systems (BHS) – is the first and largest of its kind and sets a new standard for recycling facilities. The facility processes all commercial waste generated in San José, California, and recovers more than 80 percent of the material, greatly reducing the amount sent to landfill.

San José has long led the way when it comes to sustainability and adopted progressive diversion goals in 2007 through its Green Vision initiative. Republic Services responded to this vision with an innovative way of addressing the waste stream, resulting in a 15-year commercial waste contract with the city. Until now, San José’s commercial waste was managed by 20 different haulers and provided less than half of the businesses with recycling services. The new program views waste as a resource and provides standard recycling for all businesses.

In addition to serving more than 8,000 San José businesses, the system also processes recyclables from 85,000 households and has the capacity to process 420,000 tons of material annualy. Clearly defining and targeting each stream is key to meeting lofty recovery goals. “In San José we are dealing with four distinct streams: organ¬ics, commercial dry waste, commercial single-stream, and residential single-stream,” observes Rich Reardon, director of sales and marketing for BHS. “Reaching a level of 80 percent meant recovering commodities that have traditionally been discarded. Breaking down the material stream and supplying processes to address each fraction ensures recovery optimization. Designing the entire process around this principle allowed us to help Republic Services meet its goal.”

San José Mayor Chuck Reed addressed the MRFs impact on the city’s goals. “Our businesses and community will benefit from this new approach to commercial waste recycling,” said Reed. “The new service will include the recycling of organic waste which will help businesses and the city alike achieve their sustainability goals. The investment in advanced waste processing facilities generates new green jobs, turns waste into energy, and once again demonstrates San José’s innovative leadership toward a sustainable future.”

BHS and Republic Services representatives shared in the excitement. “This advanced facility is ahead of the curve. It’s the first of its kind and is a fantastic example of how the scope of our industry is expanding to recover materials from a wide variety of waste streams,” said BHS CEO Steve Miller. Mark Buntjer, general manager at Republic Services added that “Republic is pleased to be working with BHS on this extraordinary project. This facility is the first and largest of its kind and we’re excited to be at the forefront of the industry, setting the pace globally for multi-material recovery.”

Bulk Handling Systems (BHS)

Headquartered in Eugene, OR, BHS is a worldwide leader in the innovative design, engineering, manufacturing and installation of sorting systems and components for the solid waste, recycling, waste-to-energy, and construction and demolition industries. Clients around the globe choose BHS because of its experience, dedication to cutting-edge technology, quality construction and durability, and unmatched customer service. BHS has built some of the biggest and most durable MRFs in the world – and they are achieving the highest throughput, recovery, and purity rates in the industry.

About Newby Island Resource Recovery Park

Republic Services proudly operates the Newby Island Resource Recovery Park, the world’s largest recycling operation. It processes up to 110 tons per hour of multiple waste streams and sets a new standard for the recycling industry. The facility will process all of the commercial waste generated by businesses in San Jose. Newby Island houses the local hauling company, recyclery, composting facility and landfill. The Company has 289 employees and is dedicated to investing in manpower, equipment and state-of-the-art facilities that will have a positive environmental impact on these communities and the world.

About Republic Services

Republic Services, Inc. is an industry leader in the U.S. non-hazardous solid waste industry. Through its subsidiaries, Republic’s collection companies, transfer stations, recycling centers and landfills focus on providing reliable environmental services and solutions for commercial, industrial, municipal and residential customers. Republic and its employees believe in protecting the planet and applying common sense solutions to customers’ waste and recycling challenges. For more information, visit the Republic website at republicservices.com.