MANCHESTER, NH: How Did We Get Here?

In 1995, with an eye to the future, the City of Manchester proposed and designed a “Materials Recovery Facility” (MRF) to help better manage its burgeoning solid waste dilemma; the City population was growing, “tipping fees,” the costs to dispose of solid waste, were escalating and the City’s recycling rate was one of the worst in the state. With permits in hand, the City had every intention of building the facility on Dunbarton Rd. which historically, had been used by Manchester for its solid waste program. The location had been approved by the NH Department of Environmental Services, everything was in place.  However, due to the poor markets for recycled materials at the time, the City opted not to construct the facility.

Fast forward ten years and with a solid waste budget now exceeding 3 million dollars*, Manchester was once again looking for a way to increase its recycling efforts and to reduce its solid waste costs. In February of 2005, a request by the City for an Expressions of Interest (EIQ) for recycling and yard waste was issued. In this EIQ, the city requested pricing on recycling and yard waste removal as well as ideas on how to improve the recycling diversion in the City.

Corcoran Environmental Services responded with an innovative proposal to build a Materials Recovery Facility coupled with the introduction of a single stream recycling program. Corcoran’s goal for the City was to increase recycling by making it easier for residents to recycle with a single stream program, thereby diverting more materials from the waste stream. In turn, the City would realize several revenue streams from the MRF that could potentially pay for its entire solid waste program. The City saw Corcoran’s proposal as a “unique solution to the City’s recycling under performance.”

Negotiations with Corcoran began in June of 2005. In December of 2005, the Mayor’s Special committee on Solid Waste and Recycling Activities and the Board of Mayor and Aldermen unanimously approved the contract. The contract was then signed by Mayor Frank Guinta in January of 2006.

On January 30, 2006, the City of Manchester signed a 50 year contract with Corcoran Environmental Services. The contract stated that the Corcoran would build a MRF on Dunbarton Road, included a 30-year lease of the site, and further stated that Corcoran would operate the MRF in addition to providing curbside recycling and yard waste services to Manchester residents.
However, in ten years time, Dunbarton Road had become more residential in nature and there was public concern about locating the MRF in that neighborhood. The City therefore altered its agreement with Corcoran mandating that the company find a more appropriate location for its facility within the City of Manchester.

On July 25, 2008, Corcoran Environmental Services signed a long term lease to position the MRF at an industrial park on Gay Street in Manchester. Corcoran anticipates that the MRF will be fully operational by Summer of 2009.

Corcoran Environmental Services is a private company committed to providing sustainable recycling solutions for communities and businesses nationwide. Corcoran is a leader in the recycle processing, commodity upgrading and commodity trading sector of the solid waste market.

* In 2006 Manchester disposed of 46, 928 tons in 2006 at a cost of $65.72 per ton (source: City of Manchester Dept. of Public Works, fiscal year 2006).