Recycling Ash from Babylon’s Waste-to-Energy Facility
The Town of Babylon, New York, operates a dedicated ash monofill to manage the byproducts of its Waste-to-Energy (WTE) facility. This site receives over 50,000 tons a year of MSWI Combined Ash fresh ash—generated daily from municipal solid waste incineration—and legacy ash, which has accumulated over decades in the monofill. With the monofill projected to reach full capacity by 2026- 2027, there is a growing urgency to adopt sustainable ash recycling solutions.
Through innovative treatment and upcycling technologies, both fresh and stored ash can be transformed into valuable construction materials such as Ashcrete, eliminating the need for landfilling and supporting a circular economy. This shift not only prevents environmental hazards but also aligns with New York State’s broader goals of reducing waste and advancing sustainable infrastructure.
Brookhaven’s Ash Monofill and the Path to Sustainable Recycling
The Town of Brookhaven, New York, operates one of the region’s largest ash monofills, receiving both fresh Municipal Solid Waste Incineration (MSWI) ash and legacy ash from long-term storage. The facility also manages large volumes of Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste, contributing to the island’s complex solid waste challenges.
The Brookhaven ash monofill receives approximately 350,000 tons of incinerator ash per year. At the current rate, the site is projected to reach full capacity by 2028, underscoring the critical need for immediate, sustainable recycling alternatives.
Towards Zero Waste: Recycling Ash and C&D Waste at Singapore’s Semakau Landfill
Recycling both fresh and stored ash—alongside select C&D materials—into valuable construction products like Ashcrete presents a compelling opportunity to avoid future landfill closures, reduce environmental risks, and advance the circular economy in Suffolk County.
Singapore’s Semakau Landfill is the country’s only remaining landfill, receiving over 800,000 tons of incineration ash annually, along with stabilized Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste. Despite the use of incineration to reduce waste volume by up to 90%, the residual ash still poses a significant challenge.
At the current rate, Semakau Landfill is projected to reach full capacity between 2035 and 2037, unless bold measures are taken to divert and upcycle ash and inert waste streams. The urgency has led to a nationwide focus on sustainable alternatives that align with Singapore’s Zero Waste Masterplan.
Recycling both fresh and legacy ash into advanced materials—such as ecological concretes like Ashcrete—offers a viable path to extending the landfill’s lifespan, reducing environmental risk, and transforming waste into valuable resources for infrastructure and green construction.
