Landfill closures prompt US firm to invest in 150tph C&D waste recycling facility

Guests attending Freehaven Materials open house. (PHOTO: CDE)

Unveiled during a recent open house event attended by more than 160 industry professionals, the plant is intended to reduce reliance on landfill by reprocessing excavated waste into usable materials.

According to Freehaven, the majority of the sand produced is being used in concrete production in New York City, while much of the aggregate is destined for infrastructure projects, including the Sunrise Wind energy development and highway construction.

The facility was formally opened by Suffolk County Executive Edward Romaine, who said: “This is a great day for people who can turn dirt into clean sand. Sand is needed for construction, so we need this now more than ever. I wish everyone involved tremendous success with this project to make money, help the environment and let’s rebuild America.”

Tom Hayes, Managing Partner at Freehaven Materials, said the development was driven by the region’s changing waste landscape. “Across Long Island we’re seeing more landfill sites close, which was limiting the options for how we got rid of this material. And that’s where CDE came along.

“We seized the opportunity to transform dirt into dollars, not only giving us competitive advantage for full-scope heavy-civil projects, but in turn contributing to the circular economy, and preserving natural resources.

“We are so proud of this waste recycling plant, and it was an honour to showcase it to industry representatives at the open house event. We look forward to seeing where our partnership with CDE will take us.”

Joe Teahl, Business Development Manager at CDE, said: “It was a pleasure to highlight our capabilities at this open house event. With increased demand for sand and aggregates across the region, mixed with high disposal costs and virgin material scarcity, Freehaven Materials realized the value in transforming this C&D waste into resource.”

The project comes amid growing legislative focus on recycling in the state. A Bill currently under consideration by the New York Senate would require contractors in certain large cities to recycle at least 50% of construction and demolition waste.