Facilities
Resource Recovery Complex
The Burlington County Resource Recovery Complex spans portions of both Florence and Mansfield townships. The Complex is the site of all solid waste processing and disposal activities undertaken by the County pursuant to directives of the New Jersey Solid Waste Management Act. (N.J.S.A. 13:1E-1 et seq.)
Solid waste from the County’s forty municipalities is accepted at this facility for processing and disposal. Household and small quantity generator hazardous waste is collected, packaged, temporarily stored, and transported off site for final disposal. Some of the key facilities located within the Complex are listed below.
Landfills
The Resource Recovery Complex is the site of two sanitary landfills: Landfill No. 1 which is 54 acres in size and Landfill No. 2 that encompasses 69 acres. Landfill No. 1, with a capacity of 6,032,246 cubic yards of air space, commenced operation on February 1, 1989 and was filled to capacity in September 1999. Landfill No. 1 was designed with a Woodbury clay liner and systems for leachate containment, collection and treatment.Construction of an impermeable landfill cap, including a gas extraction and collection system was completed in February 2003. Landfill No. 2 was designed as a bioreactor landfill with a composite liner, leachate collection system, an intermediate and high level leachate recirculation system and an intermediate gas collection system. Landfill No. 2 began receiving waste in August 1999 and is expected to provide capacity for the disposal of Burlington County's waste until 2027.
Convenience Center
As a service to residents and businesses in Burlington County, a convenience center is operated allowing vehicles requiring unloading by hand, such as pick up trucks to dispose of solid waste at the Complex. Separate containers are provided for wood waste and mixed solid waste. Computers, televisions, and bulky rigid plastics are also accepted for recycling.
Bulky Materials Recycling Center
Special wastes including tires, wood waste, construction and demolition wastes and white goods (refrigerators, washing machines, etc.) are processed at the bulky materials recycling center. White goods containing freon, such as refrigerators and air conditioners, are stockpiled in a separate area to facilitate the recovery of freon prior to transport to a scrap metal market. The County utilizes a tub grinder to reduce the size of various wood wastes accepted at the Complex. Woodchips are utilized as an amendment at the Composting facility and as alternate daily cover for the active landfill.
Household & Very Small Quantity Generator Hazardous Waste Facility
This facility serves both residents within the County and small quantity generators of hazardous waste. Hazardous wastes received each day are sorted and segregated by chemical compatibility and containerized for disposal at the proper facilities.
Demonstration & Research Greenhouse
The greenhouse was constructed and is operated through a partnership between the County and Rutgers University. This facility, intended for use primarily as a research and demonstration facility, utilizes hydroponics and an innovative bench system to facilitate harvesting of crops. Landfill gas is used to power a boiler for a hot water heating system in the greenhouse. In 2008, Rutgers University installed a microturbine unit that generates electricity from landfill gas for use in the greenhouse.
Composting Facility
In May of 1998, the County commenced operation of a biosolids composting facility. The facility utilizes an in-vessel agitated bin system where dewatered biosolids (waste from water treatment facility processes) are mixed with amendment, such as wood chips from the Complex bulky waste recycling center, and undergo biological decomposition to produce a stable compost product, which is then sold to commercial markets.
Cogeneration Facility (Landfill Gas to Energy Plant)
In 2007, a landfill gas to energy plant was constructed and began operation within the Complex. This facility uses methane gas produced by the landfills to generate approximately 7.12 Mega Watts of electrical energy.
The electricity is:
- Used to meet the on-site electrical demand of facilities.
- Marketed and delivered into the electric marketplace.