Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation
65 Shun Pike, Johnston, RI 02919-4512
NERC Board Member Representative
Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation
Jared Rhodes, Director of Policy and Program
Tel: (401) 228-3276
General Information
State Surplus Property Program
In Rhode Island, most major waste management functions have historically been vested in two agencies: R.I. Resource Recovery Corporation (Resource Recovery) and the Department of Environmental Management (DEM). Resource Recovery’s major responsibility is developing and operating facilities and programs for solid waste management and recycling, while DEM is mainly responsible for regulating solid and hazardous waste management facilities. Both agencies have other responsibilities, including planning, public education, technical assistance, and funding.
Resource Recovery’s 1,200 acre facility in Johnston is home to five major operations:
The goal of the Resource Recovery’s solid waste management system is to minimize waste generated and maximize waste reduction to extend the useful life of the Central Landfill.
1974: Created by RI General Assembly (RI Solid Waste Management Corporation)
1981: Purchased Silvestri landfill in the Town of Johnston
1986: RI Recycling Act became law (1st statewide mandatory recycling)
1988: Materials Recycling Facility opened, first programs began
1993: Phase I (original, unlined dump) closed
1993: Phase II of Central Landfill begins (sanitary landfill, lined)
1994: Municipal leaf and yard debris composting begins
1995: First major Materials Recycling Facility expansion
1995: Maximum Recycling program piloted in Foster and Scituate
1996: Changed name to RI Resource Recovery Corporation
1996: Signed agreement with EPA to cleanup Phase I
1996: Maximum Recycling program implemented statewide
1997: Landfill Expansion Phase III began
1999: Landfill Expansion Phase IV began
2001: Took over Eco‐Depot program for Household Hazardous Waste
2003: Statewide e‐Waste recycling offered
2004: Landfill Expansion Phase V began
2005: ReStore program for recycling plastic bags and film began
2006: Phase 1 cleanup successfully completed
2011: Received Wildlife at Work certification from WHC
2012: Second major Materials Recycling Facility expansion
2012: Recycle Together RI program launched statewide
2013: Received Gold Award in Recycling Systems from SWANA
2015: Landfill Expansion Phase VI began
2016: Implemented Recycle Across America standardized labels (1st state in the nation)
2016: Received Biggest Safety Improvement Award from SWANA
2018: Received Gold Award for Public Awareness Campaign from SWANA
2019: Received Best of Rhode Island award from Rhode Island Monthly
Fiber
Examples: Corrugated cardboard (OCC) Mixed residential papers, Newspapers, Paper shopping bags, Magazines/catalogs , Small corrugated containers, Paperboard, Milk cartons/juice boxes
Metal
Examples: Tinned steel cans, Aluminum cans, foil, plates, Empty aerosol cans
Glass bottles and Jars
Examples: Glass food/beverage containers
Plastic Containers
Examples: PET containers up to 5 gallons, HDPE bottles and jugs up to 5 gallons, PP containers up to 5 gallons