PVT dedicates $4M recycling machine

Hawai News Now - November 19, 2014

By: Rick Daysog

NANAKULI, OAHU (HawaiiNewsNow) - A new $4 million recycling machine at the PVT landfill in Nanakuli will not only recycle tons of construction debris but could help produce enough electricity to light 12,000 homes.

PVT Land Co. held a dedication ceremony for the massive recycling equipment at its Nanakuli landfill. The new machine will help break down demolished buildings and other construction material into smaller pieces that can be recycled.

It also sorts out wood, paper and plastic which can be burned by energy companies to generate electricity.

"I think we can get 5 to 7 percent of the total power on this island out of the material we are producing," said Steve Joseph, PVT vice president.

Added state Sen. Mike Gabbard:

"We always think about the bigger wind and solar and all these different issues but nobody ever thinks of this," he said.

PVT says the new machine -- which will help create up to 25 new jobs -- will benefit from the massive volumes of construction debris produced by the 20-mile rail transit system and the redevelopment of Kakaako.

"It's really important to the industry and we try to support the construction industry with everything we do," Joseph said.

For now, PVT is stockpiling the recycling concrete and using it as cover for its 200-acre landfill.

But as demand for those products pick up, it could be sold back to construction companies as recycled building materials, which are in high demand with developers of energy-efficient buildings.

http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/27433685/pvt-dedicates-4m-recycling-m...