Freehaven Materials Partners with CDE to Innovate C&D Waste Management

News Summary

Freehaven Materials has joined forces with CDE Group to revolutionize construction waste processing on Long Island. By installing a 150-tons-per-hour wash plant, the partnership aims to efficiently convert construction debris into high-quality recycled materials. This advanced facility will produce essential aggregates, addressing landfill closures and promoting sustainable practices in the region’s construction industry. The innovative technology employed will not only meet demand for local materials but also minimize environmental impact, setting a precedent for future initiatives in waste management.

Freehaven Materials Innovates Construction Waste Recycling in Long Island

In response to the growing challenge of construction waste management on Long Island, New York, Freehaven Materials has introduced an innovative solution to transform waste into valuable aggregates. With the closure of local landfills and rising disposal costs, the construction industry faces significant pressure to find sustainable alternatives. By partnering with the UK-based CDE Group, Freehaven Materials is spearheading a recycling initiative that is expected to revolutionize the handling of construction and demolition (C&D) debris.

Revolutionizing Waste Management

Freehaven Materials, which has previously relied on conventional dry crushing and screening methods, has made an important shift towards wet processing. In 2023, a state-of-the-art 150-tons-per-hour wash plant was installed at their facility located in Brookhaven, New York. This facility is designed to recycle various forms of construction waste, ultimately producing high-quality aggregate materials for construction projects.

Commissioning of Advanced Recycling Plant

The construction and demolition waste recycling plant became operational in early 2024. The plant’s sophisticated technology enables the production of ASTM C33-spec concrete sand, which is essential for creating high-strength concrete mixes, along with clean fine sand and three distinct grades of crushed stone. The implementation of this facility is set to play a crucial role in supplying local infrastructure projects, such as highways, bridges, and thoroughfares.

Environmental Benefits and Revenue Generation

Through the introduction of this wet processing plant, Freehaven Materials is effectively converting construction waste into reusable materials, thereby not only generating additional revenue but also minimizing the environmental footprint of construction activities. The advanced modular system, developed by CDE, features a range of technologies including the R4500 primary scalping screen, AggMax scrubbing/classification system, and the EvoWash sand washing system. This equipment is designed to efficiently wash, sort, and clean mixed loads of excavation soil while significantly reducing the environmental impact associated with conventional waste disposal methods.

Water Recycling and Efficiency

The installation of integrated water recycling technology within the plant further addresses environmental concerns. This system minimizes the need for settling ponds and conserves vital local water sources, enhancing sustainability practices across the industry. In addition, CDE’s SmartTech application bolsters the plant’s operational efficiency through performance monitoring and maintenance scheduling driven by real-time data streaming.

Exceeding Expectations

As a testament to its effectiveness, the facility has consistently achieved an average feed rate of 171 tons per hour, surpassing its initial target by 14%. This impressive output illustrates the potential for recycling efforts to not only meet but exceed industry standards, making Freehaven’s operation a model for other entities facing similar challenges.

Addressing Urgent Needs in the Industry

With the closure of the Brookhaven Landfill, which historically accepted C&D debris, there is an increasing urgency to enhance recycling capacity on Long Island. The growing demand for local aggregates aligns with sustainability objectives aimed at reducing transportation needs and lowering CO2 emissions throughout North America.

Inspiring Industry Innovation

Freehaven’s successful implementation of a recycling solution serves as an inspiration for the construction industry at large, demonstrating that it is possible to tackle high disposal costs and a shortage of virgin materials while adopting greener practices. The necessity of sustainable operations is becoming more critical, as construction waste continues to be a pressing issue for both local and global communities.

As more companies in the construction sector look to innovate, Freehaven Materials and CDE Group exemplify how creative thinking and technology can result in more sustainable and economically viable solutions for the challenges of construction waste management.

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Additional Resources

• C&D Recycler: CDE Commissions Construction and Demolition Recycling Plant for Freehaven Materials
• Wikipedia: Construction
• Recycling Product News: Freehaven Materials Powers NY Infrastructure with CDE Waste Processing Plant
• Google Search: Construction Waste Recycling
• Waste360: Long Island’s Waste Future Uncertain as Landfill Closure Looms
• Google Scholar: sustainability in construction industry
• C&D Recycler: Long Island Brookhaven Landfill Stops Accepting C&D Debris
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Landfills
• Waste Dive: Brookhaven Landfill Carlson Winter Brothers Rail Ash
• Google News: environmental impact of construction