With customized building options, Clearspan helps Rumpke Consolidated Companies take better care of their waste and recycling material.

 

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Americans generated 251 million tons of trash in 2012. That’s nearly a 9 percent increase of production since 1995. Managing that waste in an affordable and efficient way is challenging without proper facilities and that’s where ClearSpan Fabric Structures comes into play.

 

Keeping Recycling Materials Out of the Elements

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, OH 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 explains. “We knew we could leave the materials exposed, but did not want to be a nuisance for the neighbors as papers and plastics could blow into their yards. Plus, our process runs better with dry materials and we wanted to maintain a clean facility by keeping the materials out of the elements.” Murphy was actively looking for solutions to this problem when he came across a ClearSpan Fabric Structures brochure.

 

Building Options

ClearSpan’s customized building options, quick construction timelines and the durability of the structures were attractive to Murphy and he began to work with a Truss Arch Specialist. Rumpke purchased a 120′ wide by 60′ long Hercules Truss Arch Building to serve as a cover for their material recovery facility. They decided to contract ClearSpan’s installation crew and the structure was built in a week and a half. Due to the ease of construction, the company was able to keep operations running smoothly, without interruptions or complications.

 

“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 feet and we have an IT loader that scoops up materials then loads them onto our conveyor system,” Murphy says.

 

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 says. “We knew at the time of purchase it would need to serve other functions.”

 

Structure Versatility

The versatility of ClearSpan structures allow them to be permanent or temporary. With ease, it can be disassembled and erected in another location and on various types of foundations. As a result, Rumpke’s plans include using the structure as a storage facility for overflow at a glass building or for heavy equipment at a landfill. “Overall, we are happy with ClearSpan. The building performs very well,” concludes Murphy.

 

ClearSpan Fabric Structures (South Windsor, CT) provides design-build solutions for recycling, waste and composting facilities. ClearSpan buildings feature abundant natural light and spacious interiors without internal support posts. With minimal foundation requirements, the structures can be permanent or temporary and they are easy to relocate. Made in the USA, they can be built to any length and up to 300′ wide. For more information, call (866) 643-1010 or visit www.ClearSpan.com/ADWA.

 

 

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