Waste & Feedstock Study · York County, PA
York County generates 1,300+ TPD of manufacturing feedstock with no confirmed long-term disposal pathway as its primary landfill enters terminal capacity decline.
471K
residents
Population (2024)
1,344
TPD
YCRRC Design Capacity
$83
per ton
YCSWA Tipping Fee 2025
400
TPD
ACM Phase Initial Contracted
Section 0
What This Means
- No confirmed long-term disposal pathway. York County's primary landfill — Modern Landfill, operated by Republic Services — was scheduled to close at end-2025 and has now extended its life only by reducing intake by more than 40%. No replacement site has been permitted, sited, or approved. The county is managing a structural gap.
- YCSWA already signaling system stress. In 2025 YCSWA raised its tipping fee to $83/ton — a direct response to rising operational costs and the obligation to fund long-term disposal alternatives. The Authority simultaneously issued a public Request for Proposals seeking disposal contracts covering 2026 through 2039 for MSW, ash residue, C&D waste, and sewage sludge. No long-term contract has been publicly announced.
- The WTE facility is at design ceiling. The York County Resource Recovery Center (YCRRC), owned by YCSWA and operated by Reworld Waste Services, Inc. (formerly Covanta Energy), is designed to process 1,344 TPD and operates at or near that ceiling. Overflow capacity — being addressed via a transfer station under construction — does not add processing capacity; it adds routing flexibility only.
- 400 TPD is under contract; the structural problem is larger. YCSWA's contracted 400 TPD ACM commitment represents a portion of its current system throughput. The full addressable feedstock base across all streams exceeds 1,300 TPD — the same volume that currently has no confirmed post-WTE/landfill pathway.
- Three EPA Superfund sites document the historical cost of inadequate disposal infrastructure. York County's closed landfill legacy — Hopewell Township Landfill (NPL removed 2005), Old City of York Landfill (Seven Valleys), and the Modern Sanitation historical portion — establishes the regulatory and financial precedent for proactive alternative infrastructure investment.
Section 1
Feedstock Profile
Capability Finding — ACM Processes Every Stream York County Generates
ACM is capable of processing every material stream York County generates. Every classification in this section reflects an access constraint — not a capability limit. The barrier to any stream is contractual, logistical, or regulatory — never technical. Feedstock addressability is determined by access conditions only.
§1.2 — Feedstock Volume Table
| Stream | Annual Volume | Daily (TPD) | Current Disposition | Operator | Access Classification | ACM Phase |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSW — Combustible Contracted | 146,000 TPY Verified | 400 TPD | ACM facility (contracted) | YCSWA | IMMEDIATE | Phase Initial |
| MSW — Combustible (Additional) | ~255,000 TPY Estimated | ~700 TPD | YCRRC (WTE), Reworld Waste Services | YCSWA | CONDITIONAL | Phase Medium |
| WTE Ash Residue | ~67,000 TPY Estimated | ~185 TPD | Modern Landfill (Republic Services) | YCSWA / Republic Services | CONDITIONAL | Phase Medium |
| C&D Waste | ~45,000 TPY Estimated | ~125 TPD | Modern Landfill; out-of-county on overflow | Republic Services | CONDITIONAL | Phase Expanded |
| Biosolids / Sewage Sludge | ~15,000 TPY Estimated | ~40 TPD | Land application; hauler-managed | PA American Water; municipal WWTPs | ACCESSIBLE | Phase Expanded |
| Non-Combustible Industrial Residuals | ~15,000 TPY Estimated | ~40 TPD | Modern Landfill; regional disposal | Private haulers | CONDITIONAL | Phase Expanded |
All volume figures excluding the contracted 400 TPD are modeled estimates derived from population-based generation rates and YCRRC design capacity. Exact composition by stream is a Term Sheet phase deliverable. Estimated fields carry standard planning-basis confidence.
§1.3 — Primary ACM Feedstocks
Phase Initial Priority — No Third-Party Negotiation Required
The contracted 400 TPD from YCSWA requires no additional contract negotiation, no regulatory re-routing, and no hauler coordination. The feedstock agreement is executed. This stream is immediately accessible as of the contract execution date and will be available at Phase Initial COD (target H2 2027).
§1.4 — Full Feedstock Capability Statement
ACM technology processes the following material classes, all of which are present in York County's waste system: municipal solid waste (mixed combustible and non-combustible fractions); construction and demolition waste; municipal biosolids and sewage sludge; industrial process residuals; post-combustion ash and bottom ash from WTE operations; commercial and institutional waste. No stream generated in York County falls outside ACM's processing capability. Access classification in this study reflects contractual availability, logistics chain configuration, and regulatory routing only — not any technical limitation.
York County Feedstock Volume by Stream and Access Classification
400 TPD under contract (IMMEDIATE); additional ~940 TPD addressable under access conditions only.
Source: YCSWA contracted volume (verified); additional streams modeled from YCRRC design capacity and population-based generation rates. Data: 2024–2025.
Section 2
Logistics & Infrastructure
York County's waste logistics are structured around a single primary destination — the YCRRC at 2651 Blackbridge Road, Manchester Township — to which YCSWA directs all processible MSW under its flow control ordinance. Approximately 72 municipalities in York County are serviced by private commercial haulers under this arrangement. All combustible MSW is routed to YCRRC; non-combustible materials and WTE ash residue flow to Modern Landfill in Lower Windsor Township (~17 miles southeast).
Collection and Routing Infrastructure
| Route | Stream | Destination | Est. Distance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Municipal hauler → YCRRC | Combustible MSW | 2651 Blackbridge Rd, York | County-wide; avg. <20 mi. | Flow control ordinance enforced by YCSWA |
| YCRRC → Modern Landfill | WTE ash residue | 4400 Mt. Pisgah Rd, Yorkana | ~17 mi. | Primary ash disposal route; at risk given landfill capacity decline |
| Municipal hauler → Modern Landfill | C&D, non-combustible | 4400 Mt. Pisgah Rd, Yorkana | Variable; SE York County | No confirmed alternative once Modern Landfill closes |
| Hauler → Land application sites | Biosolids / sewage sludge | PA farmland; YCSWA-monitored | Variable | YCSWA monitors; manifesting required |
| YCRRC campus → Transfer Station | MSW overflow | Manchester Township (under construction) | On-site | Q4 2026 expected completion; routes overflow to out-of-county disposal |
Infrastructure Convergence Assessment
The YCRRC campus at Blackbridge Road/Manchester Township represents York County's primary waste management node. The ACM facility site is leased and currently in the PADEP permitting process. Co-location or proximity to the YCRRC logistics axis directly eliminates route duplication and leverages established YCSWA hauling relationships and flow control infrastructure. The contracted 400 TPD agreement confirms that YCSWA has established the operational basis for feedstock delivery without infrastructure modification.
Transfer Station Construction Context
YCSWA's transfer station under construction at the YCRRC campus (Manchester Township Board approval granted; PADEP permit obtained) is designed to route overflow waste to out-of-county disposal when Modern Landfill is unavailable. This investment demonstrates YCSWA's own acknowledgment that existing disposal infrastructure is insufficient for long-term system stability — and directly aligns with the rationale for the ACM feedstock agreement.
Section 3
Cost Structure
§3.1 — Current System Cost Table
| Cost Element | Annual Value | Per-Ton Basis | Source Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| YCSWA operating budget (total authority) | ~$44,000,000 | Verified YCSWA published | |
| YCRRC tipping fee — processible MSW (2025) | Assessed per ton on inbound loads | $83/ton | Verified YCSWA official 2025 budget notice |
| Modern Landfill — C&D/non-combustible disposal | Not publicly confirmed | $60–90/ton (est.) | Estimated PA regional market rate |
| WTE ash disposal to Modern Landfill | Not publicly confirmed | $50–75/ton (est.) | Estimated |
| Biosolids hauling & land application | Not publicly confirmed | $40–60/ton (est.) | Estimated |
| Electricity revenue offset (YCRRC) | Est. –$8M to –$12M/yr | Credit ~$55–80/ton WTE | Estimated Based on 42 MW generation / PJM pricing |
Key Finding — FWDC Confirmed at $83/Ton (2025)
YCSWA's 2025 tipping fee of $83/ton for processible MSW at the YCRRC is the verified Facility-Wide Disposal Cost benchmark for this engagement. This was increased from prior-year rates explicitly to fund rising operational costs and prepare for long-term disposal alternatives. Source: YCSWA official 2025 budget notice published via West Manchester Township (September 2024). The ACM Beneficiation Fee (TMC Fee) of $75/ton sits below the current YCRRC tipping fee, representing immediate gross cost displacement from contract inception.
§3.2 — Verified Operator Names
YCRRC Operator: Reworld Waste Services, Inc. (formerly Covanta Energy) operates the York County Resource Recovery Center under management contract with YCSWA. Reworld is the current legal operating entity; "Covanta" is the former name and may appear in legacy documents.
Modern Landfill Operator: Republic Services, Inc. (Phoenix, AZ) owns and operates Modern Landfill at 4400 Mt. Pisgah Road, Yorkana, PA. Republic Services extended the landfill's operating life in 2025 by reducing intake by more than 40% from prior-year volumes and compacting materials more densely.
York City WWTP Operator: Pennsylvania American Water Company (subsidiary of American Water Works Co.) acquired the York City wastewater system from the City of York in 2022. The system operates under a federal consent agreement requiring approximately $60M in infrastructure upgrades through 2030.
§3.3 — Cost Trajectory — Three Documented Mechanisms
| Mechanism | Direction | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Rate Escalation | ↑ Increasing | YCSWA raised YCRRC tipping fee in 2025 citing rising operational costs and future disposal infrastructure needs. Tipping fees have trended upward across PA WTE facilities as capital reinvestment cycles mature. |
| 2. Capital Reinvestment Pressure | ↑ Increasing | YCRRC requires continuous environmental control upgrades (RACT III NOx compliance noted in YCSWA regulatory filings). Transfer station construction adds infrastructure capital cost. All funded through tipping fee revenue — no York County tax subsidy. |
| 3. Absence of Competitive Alternatives | ↑ Increasing | Modern Landfill's capacity decline removes the county's only competitive pressure on YCRRC tipping fees. YCSWA's 2026–2039 disposal RFP found no local permitted alternatives; out-of-county/out-of-state disposal adds $15–25/ton transportation premium. All Lower Windsor Township expansion proposals rejected. |
Section 4
Regulatory Baseline
External Schedule References
YCSWA 2026–2039 Disposal Capacity Contracts
YCSWA issued a formal RFP for disposal/processing capacity contracts effective January 1, 2026 through 2039 covering MSW, ash residue, C&D waste, and sewage sludge. Contract execution was anticipated by May 2025. This procurement period defines the structural context in which YCSWA contracted the ACM Phase Initial 400 TPD allocation with Carbotura. No public announcement of a signed alternative contract for the full volume has been confirmed as of the date of this study.
| Event / Instrument | Date / Window | Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| Modern Landfill — operational horizon | Extended beyond Dec 31, 2025; indeterminate life at <60% of prior intake rate | Ash residue and C&D disposal increasingly insecure; no permitted alternative in county |
| YCSWA RFP 2026–2039 disposal contracts | Contracts effective Jan 1, 2026; execution anticipated May 2025 | Active procurement window; long-term feedstock routing being finalized |
| YCSWA transfer station completion | ~Q4 2026 (construction commenced Q2 2025) | Adds routing flexibility, not processing capacity; does not resolve long-term disposal gap |
| ACM facility — PADEP permitting | In process (as of Q1 2026) | Permit approval is the critical path item for Phase Initial COD target H2 2027 |
| PA Act 101 municipal waste planning requirements | Ongoing; 10-year plan cycle | York County must demonstrate 10-year disposal capacity; ACM contract counts toward this obligation |
| Modern Landfill water pollution consent order | Active — judge ruled 2025 | Environmental litigation increases closure pressure; environmental liability may accelerate shutdown |
| YCRRC RACT III NOx compliance | PADEP notification submitted (as of 2024) | Future emissions control capital requirement; will further pressure tipping fee escalation |
EPA Superfund Legacy Infrastructure
York County carries the documented legacy of three improperly sited or unlined landfill sites on EPA's National Priorities List. The York County Sanitary Landfill (Hopewell Township), closed in 1985 after PADEP discovered groundwater contamination from unlined cells, required decades of remediation before being removed from the NPL in 2005. The Old City of York Landfill (Seven Valleys, operated 1961–1975) and the historical 66-acre portion of Modern Sanitation Landfill (Lower Windsor Township, NPL listed 1986) remain under active or completed remediation. These sites are not historical footnotes; they define the regulatory risk posture that Pennsylvania communities now carry when deferring infrastructure investment decisions.
Policy Alignment
Pennsylvania's Act 101 (Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling, and Waste Reduction Act) requires York County to maintain a ten-year demonstrated disposal capacity plan. The 400 TPD ACM contract contributes directly to Act 101 compliance capacity accounting. Pennsylvania's broader policy direction — designating WTE and advanced material recovery as "alternative energy" under state legislation — is consistent with ACM's regulatory classification pathway. The YCRRC is already designated as a Tier II alternative energy source under state law.
Section 5
Feedstock Opportunity
§5.1 — System-Wide Addressable Volume Summary
~1,340
TPD
Total System Volume
400
TPD
Immediately Accessible (Contracted)
~940
TPD
Conditionally / Otherwise Accessible
§5.2 — Addressability Table
| Stream | Volume (TPY) | TPD | Access Classification | Phase | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contracted MSW (YCSWA) | 146,000 | 400 | IMMEDIATE | Phase Initial | Contract executed; no additional negotiation required |
| Additional MSW (YCSWA flow control) | ~255,000 | ~700 | CONDITIONAL | Phase Medium | Requires YCSWA volume expansion agreement; YCRRC capacity offset needed |
| WTE Ash Residue | ~67,000 | ~185 | CONDITIONAL | Phase Medium | Requires regulatory classification as manufacturing feedstock; YCSWA agreement |
| C&D Waste | ~45,000 | ~125 | CONDITIONAL | Phase Expanded | Term Sheet phase verification to confirm volume, classification, and hauler routing |
| Biosolids | ~15,000 | ~40 | ACCESSIBLE | Phase Expanded | Land application program managed by YCSWA; contract amendment required |
| Industrial Non-Combustibles | ~15,000 | ~40 | CONDITIONAL | Phase Expanded | Term Sheet phase verification to characterize generator base |
§5.3 — Phase Configuration Preview
| Configuration | TPD | TPY | Streams | Negotiation Required? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phase Initial (Conservative) | 400 | 146,000 | Contracted MSW only | None — contract executed |
| Phase Medium | 1,000 | 365,000 | + Additional MSW + ash residue | YCSWA volume amendment; regulatory pathway for ash |
| Phase Expanded (Full System) | 2,000 | 730,000 | All streams + regional sourcing | Regional feedstock partnerships; additional municipal agreements |
Finding — Phase Initial is Fully Supportable Without Third-Party Negotiation
Phase Initial (400 TPD) is entirely supportable from the executed YCSWA contract. No third-party negotiations, no additional regulatory routing changes, and no new hauler contracts are required to support Phase Initial operations. Phase Medium and Phase Expanded require YCSWA volume amendments and may involve additional regional feedstock agreements — both are Term Sheet phase deliverables.
Section 6
Feedstock Infrastructure Map
Waste management facilities serving York County, PA — active, under construction, and historical/closed. Click any facility in the panel or on the map for full details. Filter by type using the buttons below the panel header.
York County Waste Infrastructure (8 facilities)
WTE/RRF
Active Landfill
WWTP
Transfer
Closed/Historical
Sources: YCSWA (ycswa.com), EPA Superfund (epa.gov), PA DEP, Republic Services (modernlandfillpa.com), PA American Water (amwater.com). Operator names verified March 2026.
Appendix A
Evidence Chain
| Figure | Value | Public Source | Source Type | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| York County population (2024) | 471,240 | US Census Bureau — Annual Estimates of Resident Population, Vintage 2024 | Verified | High |
| YCSWA tipping fee — processible MSW (2025) | $83/ton | YCSWA official 2025 budget announcement; West Manchester Township public notice (Sept 2024) | Verified | High |
| YCRRC design capacity | 1,344 TPD | YCSWA website — ycswa.com/facilities/ycrrc/ (confirmed by Reworld facility page) | Verified | High |
| YCRRC operator | Reworld Waste Services, Inc. (formerly Covanta Energy) | Reworld corporate website — covanta.com/where-we-are/our-facilities/york | Verified | High |
| Modern Landfill operator | Republic Services, Inc. | Fox43 news; modernlandfillpa.com; York Dispatch reporting 2024–2025 | Verified | High |
| Modern Landfill intake reduction | >40% from 2025 average | Fox43 / Republic Services spokesperson statement, 2025 | Verified | High |
| YCSWA disposal capacity RFP | 2026–2039; effective Jan 1, 2026 | YCSWA website — public procurement notice, Jan 2025 | Verified | High |
| YCSWA transfer station | Under construction; Q4 2026 expected | YCSWA website; Waste360 reporting June 2025; Manchester Township board approval | Verified | High |
| York City WWTP operator | Pennsylvania American Water Company | PA PUC approval order; amwater.com/paaw York page | Verified | High |
| YCSWA annual operating budget | ~$44M | YCSWA About page — ycswa.com/about/ | Verified | Moderate (rounded figure) |
| YCRRC electricity generation | 42 MW / ~20,000 homes equivalent | Reworld facility page; YCSWA FAQ | Verified | High |
| Additional MSW volume (~700 TPD) | ~255,000 TPY | Modeled from YCRRC design capacity minus contracted 400 TPD | Estimated | Moderate — Term Sheet phase deliverable |
| WTE ash residue (~185 TPD) | ~67,000 TPY | Modeled at ~15% of YCRRC design capacity (industry standard WTE ash fraction) | Estimated | Moderate |
| YCSWA Hopewell Township Landfill (closed) | 135 acres; operated 1974–1985; NPL removed 2005 | EPA Superfund Site ID 0301590 — cumulis.epa.gov | Verified | High |
| Old City of York Landfill (closed) | 178 acres; operated 1961–1975; EPA NPL | EPA Superfund Site ID 0301441 — cumulis.epa.gov | Verified | High |
| Modern Sanitation (historical) — EPA NPL | 66-acre historical portion; NPL 1986; 2025 Five-Year Review protective | EPA Superfund Site ID 0301322 — cumulis.epa.gov | Verified | High |
| Modern Landfill court ruling | Judge ruled against landfill in pollution case (2025) | Fox43 reporting 2025 — Republic Services pollution / Kreutz Creek | Verified | High |
Appendix B
Change Factors
Factors that would materially change the diagnostic findings of this study.
| # | Factor | Direction of Change | Mechanism |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Modern Landfill accelerated closure | ↑ Urgency increases | Further judicial or regulatory action against the landfill (water quality violations, NPDES enforcement) could trigger early closure, eliminating the WTE ash disposal pathway sooner than projected and intensifying pressure on YCSWA's alternative capacity plan. |
| 2 | YCSWA executes long-term alternative disposal contract | ↓ ACM addressable volume narrows | If YCSWA's 2026–2039 RFP results in a long-term contract with an out-of-county or out-of-state disposal facility for volumes beyond the contracted 400 TPD, those volumes become contractually committed and unavailable for Phase Medium/Expanded ACM sourcing for the contract duration. |
| 3 | YCRRC capital life extension or upgrade | ↔ Mixed | Major capital investment in YCRRC (combustion upgrade, new boiler) would extend WTE operational life and reduce the feedstock pressure that drives ACM expansion. It would also raise tipping fees further, improving ACM's cost-displacement position. |
| 4 | Population growth beyond projections | ↑ Addressable volume increases | York County has been among the fastest-growing metro areas in the Northeast. Faster-than-projected growth accelerates the disposal capacity gap and increases both the urgency and the volume basis for ACM Phase Medium/Expanded. |
| 5 | PADEP permit delay for ACM facility | ↑ Risk to COD timeline | The Phase Initial COD target of H2 2027 assumes timely PADEP permit approval. Permit review delays, contested hearings, or additional environmental studies could push the COD beyond the target date. This is the critical path item for the engagement timeline. |
Appendix C
Sources and References
| Source | Publication / URL | Data Age | Use in Study |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Census Bureau — Annual Estimates of Resident Population | fred.stlouisfed.org/series/PAYORK0POP; census.gov | 2024 (Vintage 2024) | Population figure |
| YCSWA About Page | ycswa.com/about/ | 2024–2025 | Operating budget; mission; authority structure |
| YCSWA YCRRC Facility Page | ycswa.com/facilities/ycrrc/ | 2024 | YCRRC design capacity; electricity output; operational details |
| YCSWA 2025 Tipping Fee Notice | Via West Manchester Township public notice, Sept 2024; westmanchestertownship.com | Sept 2024 | FWDC benchmark — $83/ton (2025) |
| YCSWA Transfer Station Permit Application | ycswa.com; Waste360 June 2025 | 2024–2025 | Transfer station status and rationale |
| YCSWA RFP — Disposal Capacity 2026–2039 | ycswa.com/requests-proposals-for-municipal-solid-waste-disposal-processing-capacity | Jan 2025 | System capacity gap; procurement window |
| Reworld (Covanta) York Facility Page | covanta.com/where-we-are/our-facilities/york | 2024 | YCRRC operator verification; 42 MW generation figure |
| Fox43 — Republic Services Modern Landfill Extension | fox43.com, 2025 | 2025 | Landfill intake reduction; extended operational life |
| York Dispatch — Modern Landfill closure plan | yorkdispatch.com, Aug 2024 | Aug 2024 | Landfill capacity, closure plan, no expansion plans |
| PA PUC — PAWC Acquisition Approval | puc.pa.gov press release, 2022 | 2022 | York City WWTP operator verification |
| PA American Water — York | amwater.com/paaw/../york | 2024–2025 | WWTP operational details; consent agreement; $60M upgrade |
| EPA Superfund — YCSWA Landfill (Hopewell) | cumulis.epa.gov — Site ID 0301590 | Oct 2025 (last reviewed) | Historical landfill; NPL removal 2005 |
| EPA Superfund — Old City of York Landfill | cumulis.epa.gov — Site ID 0301441 | Active record | Historical landfill; 1961–1975 operation |
| EPA Superfund — Modern Sanitation Landfill | cumulis.epa.gov — Site ID 0301322 | 2025 Five-Year Review | Historical portion; NPL 1986; ongoing remediation |
| PA DEP — Municipal Waste Permitting | pa.gov/agencies/dep/programs-and-services/business/municipal-waste-permitting | 2024 | Regulatory framework; Act 101 requirements |
Appendix D
Authoritative Glossary
ACM — Advanced Circular Manufacturing
Carbotura's proprietary manufacturing process that accepts municipal feedstock and converts it into industrial materials including synthetic graphite, graphene compounds, recovered minerals, and net-positive ultrapure water (with internal-use hydrogen that returns as that same ultrapure water). ACM is not incineration; it is a manufacturing process. All feedstock is processed as a raw material input.
Access Classification
The operational status of a feedstock stream relative to ACM deployment. Values: IMMEDIATE (no contractual or logistical barrier — stream is ready for delivery), CONDITIONAL (accessible once a specific contractual, logistical, or regulatory condition is met), ACCESSIBLE (technically and contractually feasible; requires coordination or planning-stage confirmation). ACM is capable of processing all streams regardless of classification — access classification reflects delivery readiness only.
BOO — Build-Own-Operate
The project delivery structure used by Carbotura. Carbotura funds, builds, owns, and operates the ACM facility. The community/feedstock partner bears zero capital expenditure, zero construction debt, and zero operating liability. The community's sole financial obligation is the Beneficiation Fee (TMC Fee) per ton delivered.
Circular Royalty™
A contractual payment from Carbotura to the community that begins 13 months after the corresponding Beneficiation Fee (TMC Fee) payment. The Circular Royalty™ is calculated as:
Royalty(m+13) = TMC(m) × Royalty_Rate(m), where m is the month of Beneficiation Fee (TMC Fee) payment and Royalty_Rate begins at 120% of the Beneficiation Fee (TMC Fee) in Year 1, escalating by +1 percentage point per year. At steady state, the Circular Royalty™ is designed to exceed the Beneficiation Fee (TMC Fee) on a per-ton basis. The Circular Royalty™ is not modeled in this Waste Study; it is quantified in the CSA Terms and Economic Impact Review.CSA — Circular Supply Agreement
The master commercial agreement between Carbotura and the community/feedstock partner governing feedstock delivery, Beneficiation Fee obligations, Circular Royalty™ terms, and operational protocols for the 30-year contract term.
COD — Commercial Operations Date
The date on which the ACM facility begins accepting and processing feedstock at commercial scale under the terms of the CSA. Phase Initial COD is the primary project milestone; Phase Medium and Phase Expanded CODs follow as the facility scales.
FWDC — Facility-Wide Disposal Cost
The all-in cost per ton paid to a waste processing or disposal facility for receiving and managing waste. For York County, the verified FWDC benchmark is the YCSWA tipping fee of $83/ton (2025) at the York County Resource Recovery Center. The FWDC is the primary cost-displacement reference for evaluating the ACM Beneficiation Fee (TMC Fee).
MSW — Municipal Solid Waste
The mixed waste stream generated by residential and commercial sources, including organics, paper, plastics, metals, glass, and other materials. York County's MSW stream is primarily directed to the YCRRC under YCSWA flow control.
Pre-Royalty Period
The 13-month period following the first Beneficiation Fee (TMC Fee) payment during which the community pays the Beneficiation Fee (TMC Fee) but receives no Circular Royalty™. This period arises from the 13-month payment lag built into the Circular Royalty™ formula. The first Circular Royalty™ payment for York County is projected at approximately Q4 2028 (13 months after Phase Initial COD target of H2 2027).
Beneficiation Fee (TMC Fee) — Total Material Conversion Fee
The fee per ton paid by the community to Carbotura for processing each ton of feedstock delivered to the ACM facility. For York County, the contractually agreed Beneficiation Fee (TMC Fee) is $75/ton, escalating at 2.5% per year. The Beneficiation Fee (TMC Fee) is the community's sole operating-phase financial obligation under the BOO structure.
TPD / TPY
Tons per day / tons per year. All tonnage figures in this study use short tons (US standard) unless otherwise noted. Annual figures use 365-day year unless operational schedule specifies otherwise.
WTE / RRF — Waste-to-Energy / Resource Recovery Facility
A facility that combusts municipal solid waste to generate electricity or heat. The YCRRC is York County's primary WTE/RRF, processing 1,344 TPD and generating approximately 42 MW of electricity. WTE produces ash residue requiring secondary disposal — typically landfill. ACM processes the same feedstock as a manufacturing input rather than a combustion fuel.
YCRRC — York County Resource Recovery Center
The WTE facility at 2651 Blackbridge Road, York, PA 17406, owned by YCSWA and operated by Reworld Waste Services, Inc. (formerly Covanta Energy). Capacity 1,344 TPD. Designated as a Tier II alternative energy source under Pennsylvania law. Operates 24/7, 365 days per year.
YCSWA — York County Solid Waste Authority
The York County Solid Waste and Refuse Authority, established by the York County Board of Commissioners. YCSWA owns the YCRRC, enforces flow control for York County MSW, manages the closed Hopewell Township Sanitary Landfill remediation, and coordinates biosolids manifesting. Annual budget approximately $44M, fully self-funded through tipping fee revenue and electricity sales. YCSWA is the contracted ACM feedstock partner for the Phase Initial 400 TPD commitment.