MassDevelopment.com: Press Room: ABC&D Recycling Cuts Ribbon on State-of-the-Art Construction Debris Recycling Facility

ABC&D Recycling Cuts Ribbon on State-of-the-Art Construction Debris Recycling Facility
November 15, 2005

Contacts:
Richard O'Riley, ABC&D Recycling, 413-967-3110
Adam Bickelman, MassDevelopment, 617-330-2086

Richard O'Riley, ABC&D Recycling president today joined MassDevelopment President/CEO Robert L. Culver to celebrate the opening of a new construction debris recycling facility in Ware. Last January, ABC&D obtained a $5 million tax-exempt bond through MassDevelopment to purchase equipment and build its new recycling facility, which will process construction, demolition and other development related debris. The project resulted in the creation of 25 new jobs, and will facilitate the reuse of 195,000 tons of construction debris annually, much of which would otherwise end up incinerated or in landfills paid for by Massachusetts taxpayers.

"There is no such thing as an infinite resource, and that is why it's so important to reuse materials when possible to support smart growth and sustainable development practices," said Culver. "I want to congratulate ABC&D Recycling for having the foresight and dedication to embark on this project. By reintroducing these materials to market, ABC&D is supporting smart development while lessening the burden on the state's overtaxed waste-management system."

Building projects in Massachusetts generate nearly five million tons of construction and demolition waste annually. The state incinerates 43 percent of its waste, landfills 19 percent and recycles the remaining 38 percent. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, reducing that waste benefits the Commonwealth by lowering disposal costs, generating revenue from material sales and diverting waste from landfills via the reuse of valuable materials.

"Debris recycling is becoming a growth industry in the Commonwealth, and with the help of MassDevelopment and Country Bank for Savings we were able to make the financing work, and get this project built in less than a year," said O'Riley. "Our new facility will produce wood fuel, asphalt and pot-hole patch among other products. It's exciting to think that these marketable development materials came from a blighted building or property only days before."

MassDevelopment, the state's finance and development authority, works with businesses, financial institutions and local officials to stimulate economic growth across the Commonwealth. In fiscal year 2005, MassDevelopment financed or managed 158 projects statewide representing an investment of nearly $1.9 billion in the Massachusetts economy. These projects are supporting the creation of 2,769 housing units and more than 9,800 jobs: 4702 permanent and 5,100 in construction.