Systems library

Ulster County Resource Recovery Agency

A resource recovery authority archetype: consolidate flows, build separation capacity, and route organics into energy + soil outcomes—while aligning municipal incentives and community trust.

Back to Systems library Propose a pilot site Policy & funding

Archetype Resource recovery Municipal coordination

How this site was selected: Mapping layers pair feedstocks with infrastructure, the matrix approach (industrial/hauling, feedstock variation, pyrolysis, space/expansion) distills the strongest candidates, and the 25-50 mile coverage logic keeps proposals balanced. Read the methodology.

System diagram

Tip: open this in a new tab to zoom, then use it in meetings as a shared reference.

Governance advantage: Authorities can coordinate multi-municipality flows and contracts. That’s powerful—because circular systems often fail at the seams between jurisdictions, not at the technology.

Implementation notes

This archetype is about aligning operations + incentives. These prompts help frame an action path that works in the real world (contracts, siting, contamination, markets).

Questions to answer

Which contracts (hauling, disposal, MRF) are constraints—and when do they renew-
What collection behaviors must change to unlock clean organics streams-
What are the most bankable offtakes (RNG, heat, electricity, compost, digestate-based soil blends)-
Which siting options minimize community conflict and maximize equity benefits-

Best next step

If you can identify an authority/municipal point person, submit a candidate hub site via Propose a pilot site. Include facility type, known flows, and any stakeholder groups already engaged.

Propose this archetype Resources hub

For deeper context, download the core HVB reports in the Resources hub.

Site imagery

Reference photos from the Circular Biogas Systems proposal appendix for this location.

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Biosolids flow snapshot

This 2015 snapshot shows how Ulster’s biosolids moved across landfill, land application, storage, and hauling lanes. Use it to frame constraints before you size anything.

HVB does not support co-digestion of sewage sludge with food waste; treat this as routing context and a guardrails trigger.

Read Ulster biosolids brief Open image

Evidence & policy context

Data & maps hub — ground each archetype in the baseline data, flows, and county briefs before pitching it.
Ulster biosolids flow snapshot (2015) — see the county’s detailed report before modeling the system.
Policy & funding hub — choose the right story (CLCPA, diversion, EJ) for this system.
CLCPA brief — tie the archetype into the state’s climate accountability framework.
Food waste law brief — highlight the diversion/compliance rationale when organics are on the route.