The York County Solid Waste Authority provides environmentally responsible, efficient and economic management of all municipal solid waste generated in York County through an integrated approach that emphasizes waste reduction, reuse, recycling and waste-

In 2002, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) named the York County Resource Recovery Center (RRC) as a Star site in the Voluntary Protection Program (VPP). The site was recertified by OSHA in October 2004 and will continue to be periodically assessed by OSHA for ongoing recertification.

The distinction of being a Star site recognizes Montenay York Resource Energy Systems (operator of the RRC) for achieving sustained excellence in all areas of its health and safety management system. The RRC is one of 1,153 sites in the United States (out of a possible 5.2 million) recognized by OSHA as having achieved Star status.

The achievement of earning the Star status was accomplished due to the diligence and commitment to continuous safety improvement by the employees of Montenay York Resource Energy Systems, in cooperation with the York County Solid Waste Authority (owner of the RRC).

OSHA created the Voluntary Protection Program in 1982 to recognize industrial institutions that demonstrate exemplary safety and health programs that surpass the best safety practices and requirements set forth by the Code of Federal Regulations. The objective of the program is to instill a high degree of safety awareness among all employees.

The program also promotes safety practices to onsite visitors and customers. All contract workers undergo a safety orientation program; waste hauling customers must adhere to standards for appropriate safety attire and are provided with safety equipment for use onsite if they do not have it; and visitors touring the facility are provided with hard hats and safety glasses and also receive a safety overview.

Points out Ed Salsbury, RRC Plant Manager, "Cooperative interaction with OSHA in the Voluntary Protection Program gives us the opportunity to provide input on health and safety and to provide industry with models of effective means for accomplishing our objectives in this area." Adds Bill Ehrman, Authority Executive Director, "We’re proud of the facility’s safety record and encourage all the efforts being undertaken to ensure that safety remains a high priority. The Star designation is an outgrowth of our overall organizational goal to manage York County’s waste in a manner that places the highest priority on preserving human health and the environment."

The York County Solid Waste Authority is the owner of the York County Resource Recovery Center (RRC). The RRC is operated by Montenay York Resource Energy Systems. The facility has been in operation since 1989 to process all of York County’s combustible household waste, as well as some types of manufacturing waste.

The RRC is a state-of-the-art waste-to-energy facility that uses garbage as a fuel to heat boilers to produce steam to drive a turbine and create electricity. The remaining combustion ash is recycled into an aggregate material that is permitted for use in a variety of construction applications. The facility employs 52 people, produces enough electricity continuously to power 30,000 homes and saves 13 acres of land annually.