How We Work
LCSWMA’s Integrated SystemLCSWMA manages approximately 1,000,000 tons of waste annually through an innovative approach that aligns with the EPA’s Waste Hierarchy and incorporates public education initiatives, countywide recycling, and five facilities.
Minimize Waste Volume and ToxicityLCSWMA educates the community to Recycle Right in Lancaster, reducing the risk of contamination from non-recyclable items. We also provide 24/7 access to free recycling bins at each Lancaster County facility. At the Transfer Station Complex, residents can use LCSWMA’s permanent Household Hazardous Waste Facility to dispose of hazardous waste items free of charge, safely, keeping harmful chemicals and electronics out of the waste stream.
Consolidate and Transfer WastePrivate haulers deliver the remaining waste to LCSWMA’s Transfer Station Complex. The waste is sorted, loaded into trailers, and transferred for further processing and disposal. The Transfer Station is a central drop-off point for local trash haulers, handling over 400 truck visits daily. By compacting the loads, the facility sends out only one trailer for every five trucks that enter, significantly reducing local waste traffic and efficiently directing the trash to its next destination. The majority of municipal solid waste (household trash) is sent to one of LCSWMA’s waste-to-energy facilities for processing into energy, while non-combustible waste, such as construction & demolition waste, is transported to LCSWMA’s landfill. Recyclables are sent to a third-party processing facility for recycling.
Combust Waste for Volume Reduction and Energy RecoveryOnce the trash reaches one of LCSWMA’s Waste-to-Energy facilities, it is pushed onto a tipping floor and into a pit. An operator then uses a grapple to feed the garbage into three boilers, which combust the waste, generate renewable energy, and reduce its volume by 90%. This means that only one truckload of ash leaves the facility for every ten transfer trailers that enter.
Minimize LandfillingThe ash from the waste’s combustion is sent to LCSWMA’s Frey Farm Landfill, where it is used as daily cover. Thanks to WTE, only a small percentage of municipal solid waste is disposed of in the landfill (~8-10%). This approach extends the landfill’s lifespan and conserves land.
Trash Can Make A Big DifferenceBy providing safe, reliable waste management solutions, we support community growth and vitality. We are invested in community projects that align with our mission to protect our community and benefit it now and in the future.