RANSHAW - Northum-berland County's largest waste transfer station is now open for business.
Ken Deitrick, owner of PA Waste Transfer, received final approval Dec. 6 from the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to open the 9,900-square-foot facility along Quarry Road, just off Route 901. Deitrick said the building is the largest of its type in the area.
The facility is permitted to accept a maximum of 500 tons daily of municipal and residual waste, which, with few exceptions, will be on site no longer than 24 hours before being hauled to a landfill. PA Waste will work in conjunction with sister company Disposal Management Services
(DMS), which handles waste hauling.
Fred Heimbaugh III, general manager of both PA Waste Transfer and DMS, said approximately 40 tons a day of trash are currently being processed. The slow buildup, he said, is to ensure the company is doing its "due diligence."
"We are starting off slow," said Heimbaugh. "We will be tiering it up to its capacity."
Planning phase
Deitrick, who has been in the garbage business for more than 40 years, said the only feedback he has received since opening has been in the form of praise.
An extensive planning and approval phase lasted several years and was initially met with opposition by a group of Coal Township residents and wary officials due to its proximity to Ranshaw and Excelsior. However, DEP in May issued a 10-year permit.
"We have heard nothing negative since opening," Deitrick said.
He said the building was designed to limit environmental impact. The three bays accessing the tipping floor of the transfer station are positioned so the prevailing wind does not enter the building. Electronic air controls can change out the air inside the building in about two hours, Heimbaugh said.
Deitrick pointed out that the floor is shaped like a shallow bowl, which allows liquid to collect in a 4,000-gallon leachate tank. The liquid is treated at an approved sewer plant.
Once the receiving portion of the workday ends, the transfer portion begins. Tractor-trailers are loaded with up to 22 tons of trash apiece to deliver the garbage to permitted in-state landfills.
Hauling process
The business is open to commercial haulers and residents. Haulers first check in at an office building, where they will be weighed by an in-ground scale. A tipping rate will depend on the type of refuse.
They are then directed to one of three bays accessing the tipping floor, where refuse is dumped.
The facility does not accept toxic substances. Recyclable materials like metals, batteries and tires will be picked out of refuse and stored separately ahead of transfer. Electronics, which by law will be banned in state landfills on Jan. 1, will be sold to a third party.
Deitrick said the process for haulers is easy to follow and an employee will be available to assist.
"Because of the size of the facility, there is no waiting," he said.
Hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and Saturday 8 to 11:30 a.m. The facility is closed Sundays and all national holidays.