When Rumpke Consolidated Companies, Inc. needed additional storage for their material recovery facility, they turned to ClearSpan Fabric Structures for help.
Rumpke Consolidated Companies, Inc. ranks among the nation’s largest privately owned waste and recycling companies. With a strong respect for the environment, the company has found success owning and operating several landfills, transfer stations and recycling facilities throughout Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. In 2010, Rumpke began a $2.5 million renovation to its downtown Columbus material recovery facility. This included a complete demolition and an addition to its tipping floor area, which meant that recyclable materials were stored outdoors.
Currently, there are no regulations in Ohio prohibiting the practice of leaving recyclable materials uncovered; however, the company was not comfortable with that. Rumpke Engineer Dave Murphy explained, “We knew we could leave the materials exposed, but did not want to be a nuisance for the neighbors; papers and plastics could blow into their yards. Plus, the process runs better with dry materials and we wanted to maintain a clean facility by keeping the materials out of the elements.” Murphy was looking for different solutions to this problem when he came across a ClearSpan Fabric Structures brochure in a mailing.
A Customized Building Option
ClearSpan Fabric Structures provides energy-efficient, economical structures for the waste management industry. With company headquarters in South Windsor, Connecticut and a manufacturing facility in Dyersville, Iowa, ClearSpan’s state-of-the-art ClearSpan Hercules Truss Arch Buildings feature exceptional height and wide-open spaces with ample clearance for access and ease of movement. Rip-stop polyethylene covers let natural light shine through, eliminating the need for daytime artificial lighting and lowering energy costs. ClearSpan offers in-house financing and stands by each building with a 50-year warranty on the frame and a 20 year warranty on the covers.
After reading the brochure and speaking initially with ClearSpan truss arch specialist, Jay Sabia, Murphy began to work with ClearSpan on their customized building options, quick construction timelines and durable structures. Sabia, Murphy and the ClearSpan engineering team held multiple discussions on the variety of customizations Rumpke needed. “We continuously have large equipment unloading materials at the recycling facility. We needed a lot of clearance especially for our back hopper, which requires a height of 28′ to 30′, and we have an IT loader that scoops up materials then loads them onto our conveyor system,” explained Murphy.
After a couple weeks of informational discussions ClearSpan sent Rumpke a stamped engineered drawing of their custom designed building, and the company went on to purchase a 120′ wide by 45′ long Hercules Truss Arch Building to serve as a cover for their material recovery facility. Rumpke decided to contract ClearSpan’s reliable installation crew, and the structure was built in just a week and a half. Due to the ease of construction, Rumpke was able to keep operations running smoothly and without any unforeseen delays.
Serving Additional Functions
Once renovations were complete, Rumpke no longer needed the building as a tipping area. “We were looking for a great solution to house some recyclable materials, and the building served its purpose,” Murphy said. “We knew at the time of purchase it would need to serve other functions.” They plan on using this structure as a storage facility for either overflow at a glass building or for heavy equipment at a landfill. “Overall we are happy with ClearSpan. The building performs very well,” concluded Murphy. | WA
For more information, call (866) 643-1010 to speak with a ClearSpan specialist or visit www.ClearSpan.com/ADWA.