UCRRA Awards Request For Proposals for Advanced Organics Recovery and Renewable Energy Facility to Deliver Major Environmental Benefits to Ulster County

Groundbreaking project to divert up to 70% of waste from landfill while protecting air, soil, and water quality

Press Release by Marc Rider, UCRRA Executive Director 

February 18 2026

Kingston, NY – The Ulster County Resource Recovery Agency (UCRRA) has awarded its Request for Proposals for Solid Waste Diversion and Alternatives to Landfilling and Combustible Incineration (RFP 2025-01) to a consortium led by Global NRG Advisory, marking a transformative step in Ulster County’s transition toward sustainable, climate-aligned waste management.

The awarded project will develop a next-generation organics recovery and renewable energy facility on UCRRA’s existing 120-acre county-owned site at 999 Flatbush Road in Kingston. Leveraging current infrastructure while minimizing environmental disturbance, the facility will integrate advanced mechanical separation, thermal hydrolysis, and anaerobic digestion technologies to process municipal solid waste locally, converting discarded materials into renewable natural gas (RNG) and valuable recovered commodities.

Quantified Environmental Benefits

Landfill Diversion & Climate Impact
Based on Ulster County’s waste characterization data, the system is designed to achieve approximately 60–70% total diversion from landfill, including recovery of over 90% of organics from treatable municipal solid waste. By capturing methane through controlled anaerobic digestion rather than uncontrolled landfill decomposition, the project delivers substantial lifecycle greenhouse gas reductions and supports New York State’s pathway to net-zero emissions.

Air Quality Improvements
Diverting organic material from landfill significantly reduces fugitive methane and odor-causing emissions. The enclosed processing systems, combined with advanced odor control technology, will improve local air quality while reducing emissions associated with long-haul trucking by enabling local waste processing.

Water Protection
The facility incorporates integrated wastewater treatment and controlled process water management, substantially reducing leachate risks compared to traditional landfilling. Stabilizing organic material prior to disposal or beneficial reuse also minimizes nutrient runoff, protecting surface water and groundwater resources.

Project Team & Technology Partners

  • Global NRG Advisory – Project developer responsible for development, financing, permitting, and overall execution
  • ARCO/Murray – Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) partner
  • Econward Tech – BIOMAK thermal hydrolysis pretreatment system supplier, enabling high organic recovery and enhanced biogas yields
  • PlanET Biogas – Anaerobic digestion technology provider for renewable energy conversion
  • Van Dyk Recycling Solutions – Advanced preprocessing and material recovery systems

Leadership Commentary

Chris Negus, Co-Founder & CEO, Global NRG Advisory, said:

“This award reflects Ulster County’s leadership in moving beyond landfill-dependent waste systems toward infrastructure that delivers measurable environmental outcomes. By reducing landfill disposal by up to 70%, capturing methane for renewable energy, and protecting air, soil, and water resources, this project demonstrates how well-designed infrastructure can deliver climate progress while serving communities. We’re honored to partner with UCRRA and Ulster County to build this essential piece of sustainable infrastructure.”

Marc Rider, Executive Director, UCRRA, said:

“The Ulster County Resource Recovery Agency (UCRRA) is excited to partner with the Global NRG team to see this innovative and industry-disrupting project come to fruition. The Agency takes its responsibility to conserve resources through sustainable waste management practices very seriously. We believe this project will be a model for other waste agencies in New York State and the United States that are dealing with the same issues we are: decreasing landfill capacity and increasing transportation and disposal costs.”

Joe Ayala, Chief Operating Officer, Econward Tech, said:

“Econward’s BIOMAK thermal hydrolysis technology is designed to recover organics that are otherwise lost to landfill and convert them into a stable, high-value feedstock for renewable energy production. In Ulster County, this system will enable exceptionally high organics recovery from mixed municipal solid waste while increasing biogas yields and reducing lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions. We are proud to support UCRRA and the project team with a solution that directly advances landfill diversion, renewable energy generation, and long-term environmental resilience.”

Patrick Hidder, Executive Vice President, ARCO/Murray, said:

“ARCO/Murray approaches complex infrastructure projects with a safety-first mindset and a strong emphasis on constructability and quality. Our role is to execute efficiently, protect everyone on site, and meet rigorous technical requirements. This project reflects our commitment to building durable, high-performance facilities that will serve UCRRA reliably for decades.”

Next Steps

The project is in a due diligence and contract negotiation phase. Once that phase is complete, it will advance into detailed design, permitting, and comprehensive stakeholder engagement, followed by construction and commissioning. Once operational, the facility will provide Ulster County with long-term waste management resilience, renewable energy production, and measurable environmental benefits aligned with state and local sustainability goals

Questions? CONTACT: Marc Rider
mrid@ucrra.org | 845-309-7817