Commissioners Support Local Business Diverting Construction Waste from Landfills

The Franklin County Commissioners voted on Tuesday, August 18, to apply $250,000 in state funding to a project at Frank Road Recycling to purchase a mobile recycling crusher for construction and demolition debris. The Commissioners’ Economic Development and Planning Department partnered with Loewendick Demolition Contractors, owner of Frank Road Recycling, to apply for the grant from the Ohio EPA, and is acting as a pass-through for the funding. Loewendick is providing an equal amount of money to the project, and the new mobile crusher will allow the most common kinds of construction and demolition debris, concrete, wood, drywall, metal, asphalt shingles, pavement, and cardboard, to be recycled, diverting the debris from the landfill and creating new jobs in Central Ohio. Because the crusher is mobile, debris doesn’t need to be trucked to the recycling plant, which has an additional positive impact for the environment.

“Good stewardship of our county’s natural resources and environmental sustainability are core principles of the Board of Commissioners,” said Commissioners President, Marilyn Brown. “And an opportunity like this one where we can partner with a local firm to create jobs and protect the environment at the same time is a win-win.”

On one recent demolition project, Lowendick Demolition Contractors reports that up to 100% of the debris from one phase of the project was recycled into backfill that can be used later in construction of a new building at the same location. Doing the recycling on-site also saved more than 2,000 truck trips, and contributed to the LEED certification process for the new building

“Recycling construction waste quickly and cleanly protects our family homes, businesses and neighborhoods,” said Commissioner Paula Brooks. “We are glad to be able to provide this grant to a responsible local recycler.”

The Franklin County Commissioners have also made supporting sustainable development projects and recycling and reducing waste a top priority in recent community improvement construction projects, including the new LEED-certified Common Pleas Courthouse, Dog Shelter & Adoption Center, and Huntington Park, as well as in planning for the design and construction of the county’s new jail and morgue.

“We’re fortunate to live in a beautiful county, and pleased to be working with a great local company to help keep it that way,” said Commissioner John O’Grady. “Projects like this one aren’t just good for the environment, but they save money and put people to work on lasting infrastructure.”