Casella Waste Services has reopened its Willimantic MRF in Windham, Connecticut, after renovations to increase capacity and provide more energy-efficient recycling processing.
The MRF received a new sorting system, tipping floor and power supply, totalling nearly $20 million, according to a press release. The upgrades are expected to double the processing rate of the facility from 60,000 tons per year to 120,000 tons.
Casella reopened the facility at an event earlier this month alongside Machinex, Casella’s technology provider and designer of the upgrades, and Windham Mayor Tom Devino. Casella also presented a check for $10,000 to the University of Connecticut’s Office of Sustainability to support a graduate fellowship.
“The ongoing advancements of the circular economy depend on all stakeholders to do their part to make recycling more accessible, more convenient, and more efficient,” CEO John Casella said in the press release. “With these upgrades we continue to do our part in moving more material out of the waste stream and putting it to a higher and better use.”
The renovations were designed in collaboration with New England energy provider Eversource to reduce energy waste at the facility.
“Through our collaboration, we helped Casella improve its operations while reducing energy use and costs,” said Tilak Subrahmanian, vice president of energy efficiency and electric mobility for Eversource, in the press release. “This partnership demonstrates what’s possible when sustainability and operational goals align.”Â
The upgrades are the second major renovation for the MRF after the facility became single stream in 2008.
The upgrades to the Willimantic facility are the latest in a series of investments in resource solution operations by Casella in the last three years, according to the press release. Previous investments total $50 million in resource solution operations.
