Metal Recycling Pilot Project at Prima Deshecha Landfill

About the Program

Category: County Resiliency (Best in Category)

Year: 2020

Prima Deshecha Landfill began the metal recycling pilot project Oct. 8, 2019. The pilot project was intended to improve the life of the landfill, unbeknownst to having an additional earth-friendly effect. On the first day, OC Waste & Recycling (OCWR) collected 2.5 tons of material. This was enough materials to fill an on-site 40-yards metal bin. On Oct. 9 and 10, 2019, 2.04 tons and 0.88 tons of metal materials were collected, which filled up a second bin. After this, OCWR realized the recycling potential of the collected metal materials; and set up a short-term contract with ASCO Metals to recycle the materials. The contract with ASCO metals was executed Oct. 25, 2019. For the month of January 2020, 32.57 tons of metal materials were successfully recycled through ASCO Metal. To this day, OCWR has recycled on average, 30 tons of metal material monthly. With the recent increase in public tonnage collection, OCWR anticipates not only a potential new source of revenue, but an opportunity to provide a new recycling service to county residents and enhance intergovernmental cooperation in addressing waste management.