Sustainability Initiatives

The Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority is committed to sustainable initiatives that go beyond recycling.  Take a look of some of our sustainable projects below.

 

Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) Fueling Station

Clean Energy Fuels Corp. provides renewable natural gas (RNG) for CCRRA's onsite fueling station.  This RNG fueling station is one of the first on the East Coast and provides fuel for both CCRRA vehicles as well as other fleets.  Our RNG fueling station expects to reduce carbon emissions by 3,696 metric tons each year – the equivalent of removing 803 passenger cars from the road, recycling 1,484 tons of waste and planting 61,601 trees.  Migrating to RNG is just another example of how closing the loop can be beneficial economically and environmentally.

 

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

CCRRA has installed an electric vehicle (EV) charging port at our facility that can charge up to two vehicles.  We were able to purchase this EV port with the help from a Department of Environmental Protection Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant.  

 

Solar Energy   

CCRRA has been awarded a $75,000 grant from the West Penn Energy Fund (WPEF) to support our new solar PV array installation.  The 791.5-kilowatt solar system will be installed over three separate CCRRA buildings and is estimated to produce about 939,881 kwh/year, which will offset more than 100% of the facility’s annual energy usage save the Authority an estimated $2 million over the next 25 years. 

The solar system will benefit the public in four main ways: 1) by freeing up capital to improve the services provided by the Authority, 2) reducing energy demand, 3) increasing energy supply, and 4) providing education on energy efficiency, renewable energy, and sustainability through public tours and other programs.

The solar-produced electricity will also power our renewable natural gas (RNG) station which provides clean, low-carbon fuel produced from organic waste to natural gas vehicles.