Project Description
FROM THE AIA NEW YORK STATE:
The Sunset Park Material Recovery Facility is a processing center for New York City’s curbside metal, glass, and plastic recyclables which is being undertaken by Sims Municipal Recycling and the City of New York.
The Education Center is one of the project’s most unique features, the structure contains programs for school children and the public including classrooms, exhibitions, and interactive demonstration displays. A key element of the design is a steel bridge which connects the Education Center to a viewing platform inside the Processing Facility where the viewing platform allows students and visitors to see the recycling process in action,
The facility makes a major environmental contribution by delivering recyclables by barge—a strategy which minimizes the distance collection trucks must travel and eliminates 240,000 miles of annual vehicle travel from roadways. Recycled materials are used throughout and other sustainable measures include one of the largest applications of photovoltaics in New York City, a forthcoming wind turbine and bioswales for stormwater management.