Pennsylvania organization awarded $1M to support new MRF project

Pennsylvania state Sen. Carolyn Comitta and Rep. John Lawrence have announced that $1 million in state funding was awarded to the Southeastern Chester County Refuse Authority (SECCRA), West Grove, Pennsylvania, through the Pennsylvania Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) for new equipment to process single-stream recyclables and to support the installation and integration of a material recovery facility (MRF) into SECCRA’s waste and recycling services.

The MRF project is the first of its kind in the state, according to a news release from the state Senate, and will enable single-stream recyclables to be properly sorted and distributed to end-users from its facility, significantly reducing the cost of recycling and emissions while keeping the economic benefits of recycling in Pennsylvania.

“Recyclers are currently facing major challenges with the rising costs of operations, fuel and more,” Comitta says in a statement announcing the funding. “This project will help SECCRA gain control over those expenses by sorting, separating and selling higher-quality recyclables directly to manufacturers. It’s an important step toward keeping recycling sustainable.”

Lawrence adds, “The truth is, no one wants to think about what happens to our trash or recyclables once they leave our homes. Here in Southern Chester County, we are fortunate SERCCA is continually looking for the latest and most environmentally responsible methods for our community’s waste. This project gives SECCRA the ability to process recyclables on-site, which is more environmentally responsible and more profitable as well.”

The MRF also will create 10 new full-time jobs in Chester County and is expected to be a model for other rural waste and recycling centers in Pennsylvania and beyond.

SECCRA is a municipal authority formed in 1968 and says it aims to provide a regional waste management approach to municipal solid waste problems in southern Chester County, Pennsylvania. Its current landfill in London Grove Township, about 45 miles west of Philadelphia, started operations in 1986 and serves 24 boroughs and townships in southern Chester County, processing an average of 500 tons per day. According to the organization, 105,000 people live in the SECCRA service area and generate approximately 1 ton of waste per person per year.

“On behalf of SECCRA and the communities we serve, we are thrilled to have the support of state Sen. Comitta, state Rep. Lawrence and the commonwealth for this important project,” SECCRA General Manager Scott Mengle says. “It’s SECCRA’s wholehearted belief that separating recyclables close to where they are generated saves money, energy and is better for the environment.”