CRRA, FCR expand with new facility.

The Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority and FCR Inc., a subsidiary of Casella Waste Systems, Inc., has unveiled plans to build a new regional recycling center (RRC). The 70 cities and towns served by CRRA's Mid-Connecticut Project also can now recycle more materials.

Junk mail, catalogues, magazines, office paper and other mixed paper have been added to the recycling program, which already accepts No. 1 and No. 2 plastics, aluminum and steel cans, glass containers, corrugated cardboard and newspaper. When the new RRC is operational, residents will also be able to recycle boxboard, aerosol cans and oversized plastic and metal containers such as No. 10 steel cans.

Under terms of the agreement between CRRA and FOR, FOR will build the new RRC in Hartford, investing $6 million in capital improvements and processing equipment.

Sales of commodities delivered to the new RRC are expected to net CRRA about $2.7 million per year. Historically, the trash disposal fee has helped subsidize any net cost of recycling.

The new setup will help CRRA continue to offer recycling for free.

"This is good news for the people of our towns in so many ways," Thomas D. Kirk, CRRA president, says. "First, more recycling means less trash. Second, FOR has agreed to finance construction of the new facility, so there will be no cost to the ratepayers. Third, the revenue from our new recycling program will help contain the cost of disposing of trash."

James Bohlig, president and COO of Casella, says, "We are thrilled that CRRA has chosen us as their partner for the next 10 years. Our whole company is excited about the prospects of installing one of the most technologically advanced materials recycling facilities (MRFs) in the United States right here in Hartford." He adds, "We are comfortable that our experience in operating state-of-the-art MRFs, managing complex retrofits, coupled with our proven record of running safe and clean MRF operations should foster a sustainable business model that will provide the residents of Connecticut with positive, predictable revenue streams, well into the future."

The new facility will replace two existing processing centers--one for containers and one for paper--and will be able to process 160,000 tons of recyclables per year. Currently, Mid-Connecticut Project towns deliver about 78,000 tons of recyclables per year.

The new facility will be built on the site of the current container recycling facility. Current plans call for the project to be completed by 2007. Design work and equipment procurement, as well as a modification to CRRA's operating permit granted by the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, must be completed before construction can begin.

According to the agreement, CRRA will own the site and will have the option to purchase the plant from FCR after 10 years. The RRC and its processing systems are being designed for a minimum life span of 15 years.