Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Wte Sortation Pilot topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Kent County approves two‑year AMP Robotics presort pilot at Waste‑to‑Energy facility
Summary
The Kent County Board of Public Works authorized a two‑year pilot contract with AMP Robotics to install an AMP ONE sortation line at the county Waste‑to‑Energy facility to remove plastics and cardboard from inbound municipal solid waste; the pilot carries no processing fees to the county and was approved unanimously.
The Kent County Board of Public Works on May 7 authorized the director to enter a two‑year contract with AMP Robotics Corporation to install an AMP ONE mixed‑waste sortation system at the county Waste‑to‑Energy (WTE) facility.
The board voted to approve the pilot after staff presented a feasibility assessment showing the sortation line could remove up to 5,000 tons each of old corrugated cardboard (OCC) and plastics — reductions that staff estimated could allow combustion throughput to increase by as much as 30,000 tons annually. AMP will provide the sortation system, including installation and operation, for a 24‑month demonstration and will not charge Kent County processing fees during that period.
“The pilot will include the installation of an AMP ONE sortation system configured to sort up to two target material categories from inbound municipal solid waste,” staff reported to the board. Commissioner Pachla asked, “What will the data collected be used for? Were there conversations on privacy? What information can they tell us about our waste?” Staff responded that no individual information would be collected and that data use and privacy protections will be specified in the contract.
Commissioners also questioned long‑term obligations and capacity. Commissioner Stek asked what would happen after a successful demonstration; staff said the pilot term includes a 9‑month minimum guaranteed operating window within the overall 24‑month program and that future options could include purchase of the equipment, removal, or building a larger facility — the latter would require additional processes and, if pursued, a property purchase anticipated in January 2027. Staff said AMP carried the installation, maintenance and operation costs for the pilot.
Board members pressed on technical limits and benefits. Staff explained AMP’s evaluation predicts the technology can process up to 25 tons per hour in the pilot configuration and that AMP’s broader estimate for a more complete deployment could reach roughly 50,000 tons per year; the WTE facility processes on the order of 180,000–190,000 tons annually and receives around 250,000 tons a year. Staff cautioned AMP is not guaranteeing a fixed processing share during the pilot.
The motion to authorize the Director to enter the AMP Robotics contract was moved by Commissioner Pachla, seconded by Commissioner Stek, and carried unanimously.
