Systems library

Wheelabrator Westchester

A waste-to-energy / incineration-adjacent circular system archetype. The goal is not to pretend this is simple— it’s to identify the highest-leverage upgrades: upstream organics diversion, recycling capture, and cleaner residuals, while centering environmental justice and public health.

Back to Systems library Propose a pilot site Policy & funding

Archetype Waste-to-energy EJ-centered

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.

Non-negotiable lens: Any pathway here must be evaluated through environmental justice (EJ), air quality, and community trust. “Systems thinking” means we don’t optimize one metric and ignore harm elsewhere.

Implementation notes

This archetype lives at the intersection of contracts, politics, health, and infrastructure. These prompts keep the conversation practical—and accountable.

Questions to answer

What is the current feedstock reality (MSW composition), and what diversion is feasible near-term-
Which upstream organics diversion program would most reduce emissions and improve residual quality-
What EJ and public health monitoring/commitments exist today—and what should be strengthened-
What contract renewal timelines or permitting milestones create “decision windows” for change-

Best next step

If you’re working with community groups, municipalities, or operators in this context, submit a candidate via Propose a pilot site and include: stakeholders engaged, key concerns, and the specific change you want to test (diversion, pre-processing, alternative routing, monitoring).

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 Westchester County's biosolids moving through landfill, hauling, and land application paths. 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 Westchester biosolids brief Open image

Evidence & policy context

Data & maps hub — ground each archetype in the baseline data, flows, and county briefs before pitching it.
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.