Essex County Resource Recovery Facility
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| Industry | Waste management, Energy |
| Founded | 1990 |
| Headquarters | Newark , United States |
Area served | Essex County, New Jersey; Manhattan community boards, New York City |
| Owner | Port Authority of New York and New Jersey |
| Parent | Port Authority of New York and New Jersey |
The Essex County Resource Recovery Facility, commonly referred to as Covanta Essex, is a waste-to-energy incineration power station situated in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. Established in 1990, ownership belongs to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ), while operations are managed by Reworld. The plant is positioned next to the New Jersey Turnpike, between Raymond Boulevard and the Passaic River in Newark.
By 2012, this facility was handling approximately 2,800 tons of municipal solid waste each day, utilizing two generators that deliver around 65 megawatts of electricity. It processes waste collected from the 22 municipalities within Essex County as well as several districts in New York City, specifically from various Manhattan community boards.
On January 1, 2013, the PANYNJ renewed Covanta’s operational contract for the plant through 2032, with an option extending to 2052. This agreement ensures that the New York City Department of Sanitation retains access to about half of the facility’s disposal capacity. Covanta pledged an investment between $75 million and $100 million aimed at upgrading operations, which includes installing advanced controls for particulate emissions and implementing a new system for recycling both ferrous and non-ferrous metals.
In June 2013, a compressed natural gas (CNG) refueling station was inaugurated on-site to facilitate more environmentally friendly truck fueling options.
Environmental justice
Residents of Newark, especially those living in the Ironbound neighborhood, have expressed opposition to the facility. The Ironbound Community Corporation (ICC), an advocacy organization based locally, has voiced concerns regarding air quality issues linked to emissions from the nearby waste incinerator. Reports frequently described bright pink and purple smoke plumes that Covanta initially blamed on improper disposal of medical waste by a nearby hospital. In 2019, ICC collaborated with Earthjustice and the Environmental Advocacy Clinic at Vermont Law School to encourage state-level investigations. Covanta has received multiple citations for surpassing pollution thresholds and breaching safety regulations. Eventually, the company acknowledged that these emissions were caused by pesticides burned incorrectly and agreed to adopt enhanced waste handling protocols.