Dealing With Residual Wastes at the Lancaster County Resource Recovery Facility

Abstract

The Lancaster County Resource Recovery Facility (RRF) is a 1,200 ton per day mass burn waste-to-energy plant that has been in operation since 1991. The plant is owned by the Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority (LCSWMA), but is operated for the Authority by Covanta Lancaster. During the initial years of operation, only municipal solid wastes (MSW) were combusted. The picture has changed dramatically, however, since those early days. The RRF has successfully processed hundreds of different residual waste streams since 1994. The list of residuals processed at the RRF is impressive: over-the-counter and bulk pharmaceuticals; off-spec toothpaste in cubic-yard totes; virgin oily debris; ink waste in fiber and steel drums; industrial waste waters; and confidential documents and controlled substances from local law enforcement agencies, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. This paper describes how residual wastes are managed at the facility, including a discussion of waste inspection activities on the tipping floor, and a description of the various methods by which these materials are fed to the boilers.