York County Solid Waste Authority

What York County Solid Waste Authority does

York County Solid Waste Authority (YCSWA) is a municipal government authority established in 1971 by the York County, Pennsylvania Board of Commissioners to manage solid waste disposal and recycling for the county. The Authority owns and operates the York County Resource Recovery Center (YCRRC) on Blackbridge Road, a waste-to-energy facility that combusts municipal solid waste at a minimum of 1,800°F using a reciprocating air-cooled grate and overhead crane (handling 8–12 tons per load), producing superheated steam that drives a turbine-generator to produce 36–40 megawatts of continuous electricity — approximately 5 MW consumed internally with the balance sold to the PJM grid (Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland). The facility is designed to process 1,344 tons of waste per day and operates 24 hours per day, 365 days per year, achieving a 90% volume reduction. YCSWA is self-supported entirely from customer tipping fees (standard household waste at $85/ton, tires at $200/ton) and electricity sales — no York County tax dollars are used.

The Authority's integrated service portfolio spans waste disposal (household, construction, hazardous, medical, residual/industrial), assured destruction of sensitive materials at four pricing tiers ($135–$350/ton), and free recycling services for residents and electronics. Additional facilities include the Small Load Drop-Off Facility, the Recycling Drop-Off Center, the Ash Recycling & Processing Facility (ARPF, opened May 2019 with Pure Recovery Group's patented first-of-its-kind U.S. wet separations technology), the Education Center, and the Hopewell Area Recreation Complex (HARC) — a 200-acre community park redeveloped on a closed 306-acre sanitary landfill. The Authority also retains environmental monitoring responsibility for the capped 1998 landfill, including methane venting, groundwater monitoring, and a two-acre solar array.

YCSWA's customers are York County's 72 municipalities (64 with contracted curbside recycling), five primary waste haulers (Penn Waste, Republic Services, Casella, Good's Disposal, Anthracite Waste), self-operating boroughs (Hanover, Wrightsville), and York County residents via direct drop-off. Education and community outreach are delivered through facility tours (serving ~800 students via the 2026 Tour Scholarship Program), the ComBUSTER newsletter, social media, partnerships with Keep PA Beautiful and Downtown Inc, and a mascot-driven curriculum featuring "Buster the Combustor Dragon." The YCRRC holds OSHA Star Program certification (one of ~4,000 of 5.2 million U.S. sites), a Continuous Emissions Monitoring System linked 24/7 to the PA DEP in Harrisburg, and Tier II alternative energy designation under PA legislation.

Name

York County Solid Waste Authority

Legal name

York County Solid Waste Authority

Website

https://ycswa.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1971

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

York County Solid Waste Authority is a Pennsylvania municipal authority operating the state's first waste-to-energy facility, processing 1,344 tons of municipal solid waste per day into electricity for the PJM grid, while providing recycling, hazardous waste, and assured destruction services to York County residents, municipalities, and haulers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Waste Management Services

NAICS

Waste Treatment and Disposal (5622), Materials Recovery Facilities (562920), Solid Waste Collection (562111), Hazardous Waste Collection (562112)

SIC

Sanitary Services (4950), Refuse Systems (4953), Electric, Gas & Sanitary Services (4900)

akta.pro primary industry

Solid Waste & Recycling Services Administration (BPAIACAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Waste Transfer Stations & Material Consolidation (IMAIAFAC), Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection & Transfer (BPALABAF), Construction & Demolition (C&D) Debris Transfer Stations (BPALABAB), E-waste & Universal Waste Collection/Transfer (Electronics, Lamps, Batteries) (EUAIABAG)

Keywords

• Waste-to-energy services
• Municipal solid waste management
• Recycling drop-off programs
• Hazardous waste disposal
• Household hazardous waste collection

Headquarters

HQ city

York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Infrastructure, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Tipping Fees: Revenue generated through tipping fees charged to waste haulers to deliver waste to the York County Resource Recovery Center. Standard household waste tipping fee is $85/ton with minimum fee of $20 for loads up to 470 pounds. Tires accepted at $200/ton.
2. Electricity Sales: Sale of electricity generated from waste-to-energy process into the PJM grid (Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland). Facility produces 36-40 megawatts of continuous electricity, with approximately 5 megawatts used for self-operation and remainder sold to the grid.
3. Assured Destruction Services: Special destruction services for sensitive materials (documents, records, evidence) using four methods at different price points ($135-$350/ton). Materials are processed through waste-to-energy system.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

York County Solid Waste Authority operates the York County Resource Recovery Center (YCRRC), a waste-to-energy facility that processes 1,344 tons of municipal solid waste per day into ash and electricity (36-40 MW continuous). The Authority also provides household and industrial waste disposal, hazardous waste collection, medical waste handling, materials assured destruction, recycling services (household items, electronics, yard waste, Christmas trees), and operates an Ash Recycling & Processing Facility using patented wet separations technology.

Product overview

York County Solid Waste Authority operates a comprehensive waste management system centered on the York County Resource Recovery Center (YCRRC), Pennsylvania's first waste-to-energy facility. The core product is the YCRRC waste-to-energy system that processes municipal solid waste into electricity. Supporting services include household and hazardous waste disposal, medical waste management, materials assured destruction, and residual/industrial waste handling. The recycling portfolio encompasses household items, electronics, business recycling, yard waste, and Christmas tree recycling programs. The organization also manages multiple facilities including the Small Load Drop-Off Facility, Recycling Drop-Off Center, Ash Recycling & Processing Facility, Education Center, and the Hopewell Area Recreation Complex (HARC) on the closed sanitary landfill. Educational offerings include facility tours, school programs, a tour scholarship program, and community outreach featuring the mascot Buster the Combustor Dragon. The integrated approach emphasizes waste reduction, reuse, recycling, and resource recovery.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• York County Resource Recovery Center (YCRRC) Waste-to-energy facility that converts municipal solid waste into ash and electricity through combustion at minimum 1800°F. Processes 1,344 tons of waste per day, generates 36-40 megawatts of continuous electricity, and operates 24/7/365. Reduces waste volume by 90%. Operated by Reworld York, LLC; owned by YCSWA.
• Household Waste Disposal Services Drop-off disposal service for household garbage and items requiring special handling at the York County Resource Recovery Center. Standard tipping fee is $85/ton with a minimum fee of $20 for loads up to 470 pounds. Available to York County residents and waste haulers.
• Construction Material Disposal Disposal services for construction and demolition materials including bathroom fixtures, doors, flooring, lumber, shingles, and drywall at the YCRRC Small Load Drop-Off Area. For York County residents and contractors.
• Household Hazardous Waste Management Collection events and disposal guidance for household hazardous materials including oil-based paints, bleach, and weed killers. Free events held twice yearly (spring and fall) for York County residents. Registration required.
• Materials Requiring Assured Destruction Secure document destruction services for sensitive materials including outdated invoices, canceled checks, legal records, medical records, and criminal evidence. Four destruction methods available at $135 to $350 per ton. Materials are processed through the waste-to-energy system.
• Medical Waste Disposal Safe disposal services for medications, sharps, and other medical items including sharps container programs, medication return boxes at police departments, and prescription drop-off appointments at YCRRC.
• Residual/Industrial Waste Management Sustainable disposal of residual waste generated from manufacturing processes, offering cost-effective alternatives to traditional disposal methods for industrial and manufacturing businesses.
• Household Items Recycling Free recycling services for glass, plastic, paper, cardboard, cans, and other household recyclables through curbside programs and drop-off centers. Free for York County residents.
• Electronics Recycling Free electronics recycling for computers, TVs, monitors, peripherals, and other electronic devices at the YCRRC and satellite locations. Free of charge for York County residents.
• Recycling for Businesses Business recycling program for batteries, electronics, construction materials, fluorescent bulbs, glass, metals, paper, plastics, scrap metal, and wood. Targeted at commercial and business entities in York County.
• Yard Waste Recycling Yard waste disposal and recycling including leaves, shrubbery, small tree trimmings, stumps, and root balls at the YCRRC Yard Waste Facility. For York County residents.
• Christmas Tree Recycling Free Christmas tree recycling December 26 through January 31 at the parking lot across from YCRRC. Trees are processed into mulch locally.
• Ash Recycling & Processing Facility Processing facility using wet separation technology (patented by Pure Recovery Group) to recover aggregates, metals, and sand from YCRRC combustion ash, reducing landfill volume. Operated by York Reduction Systems, LP.
• Educational Programs and Facility Tours Free in-person and virtual educational presentations on waste management topics including Recycled Paper Revelations, Vermicomposting, and Magic of Waste-to-Energy, plus guided tours of YCRRC and HARC for groups of all ages. Free for York County schools, residents, and civic groups.
• Tour Scholarship Program Program providing transportation funding for York County schools to tour YCRRC or HARC, covering 100% of bus/van costs for eligible applicants. The 2026 program serves approximately 800 students across ten school groups.
• Hopewell Area Recreation Complex (HARC) 200-acre recreational complex on the closed York County Sanitary Landfill featuring walking trails, ball fields, wildlife habitat, playgrounds, picnic pavilion, and birdwatching platforms. Open dawn to dusk.

Quantifiable outcome

• Powers approximately 20,000 homes with generated electricity
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• York Reduction Systems, LPcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 May 2019York Reduction Systems, LP processes the ash stream from YCRRC at the Ash Recycling & Processing Facility. They recover and recycle metals, sand, and aggregates from combustion ash using Pure Recovery Group's patented wet separations technology.
• Reworld York, LLCcoreTechnology or IntegrationReworld York, LLC is the facility operator for the York County Resource Recovery Center. YCSWA is the facility owner. Together they host 'Hauler Appreciation Day' events recognizing waste haulers for their contributions to York County's waste management system.
• Pure Recovery Group, LPcoreTechnology or IntegrationDeveloper of wet separations technology used at YCSWA's Ash Recycling & Processing Facility. This first-of-its-kind technology in the United States increases recovery of recyclable materials in municipal waste combustion ash.
• Keep PA BeautifulminorGTM or Marketing PartnerYCSWA refers community groups to Keep PA Beautiful for information on cleanup sites. Keep PA Beautiful provides resources for community litter cleanup initiatives throughout Pennsylvania.
• Downtown IncminorGTM or Marketing PartnerYCSWA sponsors Downtown Inc's Clean and Green efforts, supporting community cleanup initiatives in downtown York area.
• Horn Farm CenterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner for backyard composting education. YCSWA promotes Horn Farm Center's composting program as part of its waste reduction initiatives.
• Keep York County BeautifulminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner supporting waste reduction and recycling initiatives in York County. YCSWA participates in their programs and events.
• York County Conservation DistrictminorGTM or Marketing PartnerYCSWA is a proud sponsor of the York County Envirothon, organized by the York County Conservation District. This environmental education competition involves students in grades 3-12.
• York County CommissionerscoreOthersThe York County Board of Commissioners established YCSWA in 1971 and appoints the Authority's board members. YCSWA provides solid waste management services for all of York County under this governance structure.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Clean Harbors: National hazardous waste management company comparable to YCSWA's household hazardous waste collection and medical waste disposal services, though at commercial scale and across many states.
• Stericycle: Specialized medical waste, sharps, and pharmaceutical disposal provider. Comparable to YCSWA's medication return boxes and sharps disposal services, though operating at national commercial scale.
• Republic Services: One of the largest waste haulers in the US and a contracted hauler delivering tonnage to YCSWA's YCRRC. Comparable as a major counterpart in the integrated waste management chain serving York County.
• Casella Waste Systems: Regional waste services company operating in the Northeast and one of the haulers feeding YCSWA's YCRRC. Compares on collection, recycling, and disposal service offerings in the same Pennsylvania market.
• Reworld (formerly Covanta): Largest waste-to-energy operator in North America and actual operator of YCSWA's YCRRC facility. Compares on WTE technology, electricity generation, and ash management, though at a much larger scale across multiple regions.

Direct peers

• Chester County Solid Waste Authority: Pennsylvania county solid waste authority operating transfer stations and recycling programs for Chester County residents. Directly comparable in scope, service mix, and county-authority model.
• Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority: Neighboring Pennsylvania county solid waste authority operating its own waste-to-energy facility, transfer stations, and recycling programs. Directly comparable in governance structure, service portfolio, and regulatory environment to YCSWA.
• Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority: Pennsylvania county solid waste authority providing recycling, refuse, and HHW services. Direct peer in county-authority governance, recycling program delivery, and household hazardous waste collection events.

Regional players

• Penn Waste: York-based residential and commercial waste hauler serving multiple York County municipalities. Directly engages YCSWA's tipping fee structure and is a primary downstream customer at YCRRC.

Others

• Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection - Waste Management: Primary regulator for Pennsylvania waste management and the entity to which YCSWA's continuous emissions monitoring system reports. Relevant as the governing authority for the pending transfer station permit application.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/YorkSolid
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCise1YxadDzQNZiBqQiA2fg
• Facebookfacebook.com/timeline
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/york-county-solid-waste-authority
• Instagraminstagram.com/yorkcountysolidwasteauthority

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about York County Solid Waste Authority