Resource Recovery Facility Overview

Reducing the Volume of Our Waste

Resource Recovery Facility located in Bainbridge, PA Owned by Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority and operatied by the designer, Covanta, Lancaste, Inc.

The largest portion of Lancaster County’s solid waste is taken to the Authority’s Resource Recovery Facility. Located in Conoy Township, the facility burns over 375,000 tons of waste annually in three boilers that exceed 1,800° F. Here’s the best part: burning reduces solid waste volume by 90%.

So for every ten truckloads of waste taken into the facility, only one truckload of ash comes out, and that is beneficially used in landfill operations.

Click to view a detailed RRF graphic.

The net result has been a tremendous extension of the life of the Frey Farm Landfill. Without the Resource Recovery Facility, the landfill would have run out of capacity in August 2001. Now, it’s expected to last until approximately 2020. That’s foresight!

In addition, steam is generated by the burning process which is used to produce renewable electricity. A small portion of the electricity powers the facility, while the majority is sold to Metropolitan Edison.

Moreover, the Resource Recovery Facility has an excellent environmental record and operates well below air emission limits set by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.