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 Partners with CDE to Turn Construction Waste into Valuable Aggregates

Long Island, New York is facing a growing crisis with construction waste. Rising disposal costs and landfill closures have significant implications for construction companies on the island. In response to these challenges, Freehaven Materials has taken proactive steps to maintain competitiveness amid increasing material costs and decreasing landfill space. The company has collaborated with CDE Group, a UK-based supplier renowned for its sand and aggregate washing systems, to find a solution that effectively addresses the construction waste issue.

In 2023, Freehaven installed a state-of-the-art 150-tons-per-hour wash plant at its facility located in Brookhaven, New York. Previously, Freehaven relied on dry crushing and screening methods. However, with the increasing demand for sustainable practices and innovative solutions, the shift to wet processing has proven beneficial for the company. By early 2024, the construction and demolition (C&D) waste recycling plant was fully operational, marking a significant milestone in its development.

The wash plant is capable of producing ASTM C33-spec concrete sand, which is ideal for high-strength mixes, along with clean fine sand and three grades of crushed stone. This technological advancement allows Freehaven to convert waste materials into reusable aggregates, which can be used in various infrastructure projects across Long Island, including highways, bridges, and roads. As the plant begins to operate at full capacity, it opens new avenues for revenue generation while contributing to environmental sustainability.

Equipped with CDE’s modular system, the plant integrates several advanced technologies, including an R4500 primary scalping screen, AggMax scrubbing/classification system, and EvoWash sand washing system. Other notable features include a CFCU density/sizing classification system, AquaCycle thickener, and the AquaStore water tank. All these components work collaboratively to efficiently wash, sort, and clean mixed loads of excavation soil while ensuring minimal impact on the environment.

Improved sustainability is also achieved through the implementation of integrated water recycling technology, which reduces the need for settling ponds and conserves local water sources. Additionally, the plant utilizes CDE’s SmartTech application to enhance performance monitoring and maintenance scheduling through real-time data streaming. The wash plant has consistently outperformed expectations, achieving an average feed rate of 171 tons per hour, 14% more than the targeted capacity of 150 tons per hour.

Freehaven Materials’ success not only serves as a viable model for other construction companies facing similar challenges, but it also presents a significant opportunity for addressing high disposal costs and shortages of virgin materials. This transformation in the industry encourages innovation and drives others to adopt sustainable practices.

The urgency for such practices is further underscored by the closure of the Brookhaven Landfill, which used to accept C&D debris. As landfill options diminish, the need for developing recycling capacity on Long Island becomes increasingly critical. Moreover, with a growing demand for local aggregates, there is a concerted effort in North America to align with sustainability goals aimed at reducing transportation and CO2 emissions.

With the partnership between Freehaven Materials and CDE making waves in the construction industry, the focus on waste recycling and aggregate reuse is set to shape the future of building practices, presenting exciting opportunities for environmental stewardship alongside economic viability.

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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