Harsco, EPA Herald Public-Private Partnership

At a ceremony held at the former Gulf States Steel mill in Gadsden, Ala., Harsco and representatives from the U.S. EPA highlighted the model public-private partnership now being done to process stockpiled waste materials left behind when the Gulf States mill closed operations and filed for bankruptcy more than ten years ago.

The project has been underway since January.

Harsco will process more than three million tons of residual mill waste over the next four years and recover the metal content for reuse in the production of new steel and other commercial uses. The recovered metals are expected to include a high concentration of iron content.

Harsco estimates that 85 percent or more of the project's total cost will be funded through the recycling/reuse of on-site materials, minimizing the financial impact to taxpayers.

Remarks during the ceremonies noted that the project has created up to 20 new jobs, all hired locally within the Gadsden area, while generating a projected local economic benefit estimated at about $7 million over the project duration.