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Harsco, EPA Partner on Sustainable Remediation of Former Gulf States Site
Jun. 10, 2010 Harsco Corp. and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) celebrated this week their work together to process stockpiled waste materials left behind when the Gulf States mill closed operations and filed for bankruptcy more than ten years ago.
Underway since January, the project has been described as the largest sustainable remediation project of its type in the United States. As part of the project, Harsco will process more than three million tons of residual mill waste over the next four years, recovering metal content for reuse in the production of steel and other commercial applications.
The recovered metals, which are expected to include a high concentration of iron, should be usable in electric arc furnaces as well as blast furnace steel production. Initial market demand has been strong, as steelmaking production levels continue to gradually rebound from the global economic crisis of the past two years.
Representatives from Harsco and senior officials from EPA detailed the model public-private partnership during ceremonies this week at the former Gulf States site in Gadsden, Ala. The partners are projecting that 85% or more of the project’s total cost will be funded through the recycling/reuse of on-site materials, making the innovative Harsco-EPA project a model for future cleanup of similar sites throughout the United States.
During the ceremonies, the partners noted that the project has created up to 20 new local jobs while generating a projected local economic benefit estimated at approximately $7 million over the project duration. The projected economic benefit reflects such factors as salaries and tax revenues, the use of local contractors, and other local consumables such as parts and fuel.
Harsco Corp. is one of the world’s leading diversified industrial services and engineered products companies, serving key industries that play a fundamental role in worldwide economic growth.