After the Fire: New Apalachin Recycling Plant Construction Underway

A $6 million recycling complex is being built on the Tioga County site where a massive blaze ripped through a similar facility six months ago.

Construction crews have started work on the new plant off Route 434 in Apalachin.

Southern Tier Recyclers in conjunction with Taylor Garbage Service had operated the 30,000-square-foot facility that was destroyed by a fire that erupted January 3.

Demolition crews cleared the town of Owego site in early February. Company chief operating officer Jared Taylor said construction of the new structure started about two weeks ago.

Taylor said he expects equipment for the new plant to be delivered to the town of Owego site in August.

Sorting devices and computer systems will be installed over the next few months.

Taylor said the facility will have an advanced fire suppression system. Firefighters spent several days pouring water on smoldering recyclable material after the initial blaze was knocked down in January.

Taylor said the new plant will be somewhat larger and will have better sorting capabilities. He said he hopes the facility can be in operation by January.

Since the fire, Taylor said recyclable material collected by the company has been transported to facilities in Syracuse and Ontario County.

Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com

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