Dive Brief:
- A new recycling plant in Sun Valley, CA could lead the city to achieve its goal of zero waste by 2025.
- The plant is expected to play a significant role in diverting materials from landfills in the nearby Los Angeles area.
- The $50 materials recovery facility (MRF) began operations today; it is touted as the first plant of its kind to be constructed in years.
Dive Insight:
The 80,000-square-foot Athens Services facility can potentially separate 1,500 tons of waste per day. The complex will process trash from apartment buildings and businesses.
Athens has a fleet of 300 waste trucks to service the area, and 150 will transport waste to the plant every day. The entire fleet used for delivering the waste is powered by compressed natural gas (CNG). Waste will be diverted using innovative equipment.
In August, Advance Disposal Co. reopened its upgraded MRF in Hesperia, CA. Updates at the plant included an innovative sorting system that potentially handles up to 50 tons of materials per hour.