Viably

Sophie Leone • January 22, 2024

We are pleased to welcome Viably as a new Supporting Advisory Member to the Northeast Recycling Council

Formerly known as Komptech Americas and recently rebranded as Viably, the Colorado-based company’s President describes the rationale for the name change in these terms:


“For over a decade, Komptech Americas has been a leading supplier of industrial waste and recycling equipment,” Brandon Lapsys explains. “And while you can count on our team to continue as the master distributor of Komptech technologies across North America, we’re expanding our capabilities, partnerships, and equipment lineup under the new brand name of Viably.


“We chose the name Viably because that’s how we approach everything we do. From parts and service to rental and pre-owned machine sales, there’s a lot we can do to help you increase efficiency, drive throughput, and produce the highest quality end products.”


NERC’s new Advisory Member anticipates a dramatic increase in its capabilities for distributing waste and recycling equipment, as Lapsys points out:

  • We will soon introduce the new Komptech Lacero high-speed grinder, engineered for tough wood and green waste applications.
  • We fully support Stationary Plant System integration, from design through installation and after sales support.
  • Viably is a distributor of the full line of Turbo Separator food waste depackagers manufactured by Scott Equipment Company. These industry-proven systems separate up to 99% of organics from institutional and consumer packaging.
  • We also distribute GypStream drywall recycling systems from Scott Equipment Company, which separates 99% pure gypsum from drywall paper backing.
  • Viably is the North American Master Distributor of Harp Renewables Waterless Biodigesters, a range of aerobic recycling systems that reduce food waste volume by an average of 70% in 24 hours, producing a nutrient-rich, premium output that can be used as a soil enhancer, biomass fuel, or anaerobic digestion feedstock.


On its website, Viably differentiates among the solutions it offers according to waste stream:

  • Its C&D waste processing solutions enable the diversion of more materials from landfills and transform them into profitable resources and revenue streams with economic and environmental benefits.
  • Its Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) technologies recover value through efficient sizing, screening, and separating materials to maximize production efficiency, lower operation and labor costs, and increase diversion rates.
  • Viably enables its partners to efficiently process green waste, food waste, and other organics to produce quality mulch, compost, and soil amendment products.


“We align cutting-edge waste shredding, windrow turning, screening, separating, depackaging, and biodigestion technologies with your specific production needs,” the company states. “This potent combination ensures that Viably solutions optimize your operational efficiencies and escalate your profitability.”


“Our work is not pretty,” the company continues. “Today, and every day, we tear into the waste of the world in search of more sustainable solutions. Because the path to a healthier planet requires innovation. Right here. Right now.”


For more information about Viably, please visit their website at https://thinkviably.com. Or contact the Viably team directly at hello@thinkviably.com.


NERC is pleased to welcome Viably to its team of Advisory Members. We look forward to collaborations that will improve the performance of waste and recycling technologies.


For more information about Viably click here

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Maryland webinar gives tips on countering misinformation

By Antoinette Smith • April 1, 2025
In recent years, the recycling industry has seen negative media coverage that has not only perpetuated myths but also contributed to public mistrust of collection and recycling – and ultimately could be contributing to lower collection rates. To help counteract the misinformation, the Maryland Recycling Network presented a March 27 webinar featuring Gretchen Carey, president at MassRecycle, and Chaz Miller of Miller Recycling Associates. Misinformation about recycling was merely “background noise” to Carey until October 2022, when Greenpeace published a scathing report about the failings of plastic recycling. Soon NPR and The Boston Globe picked up the story and compounded the issue with statements like “not even plastic water bottles are recyclable,” Carey said, calling this “a patent lie.” Carey and her colleagues were “crushed,” but after overcoming her initial anger, she reached out to NPR and the Globe to rebut the story. She also tried to get other local publications to publish her written response to the negative coverage but was rebuffed. Seeing that these efforts weren’t going far, MassRecycle invited members of the media and the general public on MRF tours at several sites in Massachusetts and Connecticut. Providing real-time evidence of recycling infrastructure helped industry outsiders step out of the echo chamber and hear a contrasting perspective, Carey said in the webinar. “You can talk the game, but them seeing for themselves is the important part,” she explained. During the tours, the public attendees learned that throwing away recyclables deprives the community of valuable commodities, she said, and that state guidelines restrict what can be put in the landfill. Carey added that the tours brought home the message by explaining that recycled materials need a consistent end market to justify collection and processing. For example, Ardagh closed its glass bottling facility in Massachusetts in 2018. The closure eliminated a key end market for recycled glass and caused collector Strategic Materials to stop taking local recovered glass. Local MRFs subsequently lost that revenue stream. When residents don’t trust recycling infrastructure, they put fewer items in their curbside bins, and ultimately paper, metals and glass wind up as collateral damage, Miller said. So it’s vital to make sure the public knows where their recyclables and that end markets exist to use these materials. Read the full article.

City of Laurel

By Sophie Leone • March 26, 2025
The City of Laurel, Maryland, established in 1870, has a deep and rich history within the state. Its long-standing independence and stability have fostered a strong sense of community, providing residents with valuable resources and support. Laurel is deeply committed to sustainability, embedding green initiatives into its core values, creating a Sustainability Division and completing the City’s first Sustainability Plan as one of many ways to support a sustainable Laurel community. The city’s mission is guided by four foundational pillars: People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace and Partnership. Laurel defines sustainability as “meeting the environmental, social, and economic needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.” Residents can engage with their community in numerous ways, including joining local clubs, participating in municipal committees, and taking part in community surveys. The city also hosts in-person events such as parades, farmers markets, and sustainability initiatives, further strengthening community bonds. To make waste management, recycling and organics recycling more accessible, Laurel provides detailed information on its dedicated Green Living Resource page found on the City’s website and partners with Recycle Coach, an app that helps residents easily access tailored information on residential collections, recycling and organics recycling. The Recycle Coach app also notifies residents of changes to their service days and special sustainability events. The City of Laurel continues to lead by example in sustainability and community engagement. As environmentalist Wendell Berry once said, “The Earth is what we all have in common.” Laurel’s dedication to green living ensures that future generations will inherit a thriving, sustainable community. NERC is thrilled to welcome the City of Laurel to our growing list of municipality members. We look forward to working with them to help advance our collective missions in safeguarding the planet. For more information on the City of Laurel visit.

Black History Month

February 28, 2025
A Time to Learn, Reflect, and Celebrate
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