Cards Recycling to develop transfer station in Springdale, Arkansas

The Springdale, Arkansas, Planning Commission has approved the development of a recycling transfer station, reports the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

Local disposal company Cards Recycling will utilize the facility to offload household and construction waste. Cards staff will sort the waste, pulling off most material for recycling, according to Cards President Dan Christenson.

Christenson noted recyclable material will be stored until sold, and other waste will be removed to various landfills within 24 hours.

Cards, which is based in Fayetteville, serves thousands of customers in south Benton County, north Washington County and west Madison County.

Some nearby business owners have expressed concerns about the facility, such as odor control and pests. However, Chris Bakunas of McClelland Consulting Engineers said the waste will remain inside the building, which will remain closed at night. The floors will undergo cleaning once a week, he said.

He also noted the company would install fencing and extra landscaping for screening. "We are willing to go above and beyond the code," Bakunas said.

Rick Barry, the assistant director of planning for the city of Springdale, said Cards is working with the Arkansas Division of Environmental Quality for an operating permit.

Patsy Christie, director of the city’s planning department, added that this facility was also approved by the Boston Mountain Solid Waste Authority. She told the Democrat-Gazette all waste facilities must be part of the solid waste management plan in which the city participates.

"So, other agencies will also be monitoring them," she said.

Cards plans to spend $5 million on the 40,000-square-foot recycling transfer station, to be built in two phases. The first phase of the project would include the waste and recycling facility, a sorting room and a scale house, with eight employees.  

The second phase would include an office building and truck maintenance shop. Christenson said he hopes to start construction of the second phase within six months. That building will be made of masonry and architectural panel.

The new space would include consolidation of other offices, which should bring 30 new jobs to Springdale, Christenson told the Democrat-Gazette.