Plans to build a Sustainable Resource Facility (SRF) continue to move forward even though it may be difficult to see that progress when you drive by the Nicholas Meat plant on East Valley Road. Nicholas Meat has made great strides toward breaking ground on the facility, which is so much more than a digester. The SRF will feature award-winning waste-to-energy and water reuse technology, and other benefits to both our facility and to the Sugar Valley community. For example, the SRF will include a comprehensive waste treatment facility with anaerobic digesters, an advanced wastewater treatment facility, and will allow the company to manage food processing waste generated at the facility.

We began our quest to achieve project approval, beginning with a January 2018 project “kick-off” meeting between our team and the DEP. From that time until present, we have never stopped working on the planning and details necessary for approval of a project of this scale. Through the process, Nicholas Meat has never wavered from its commitment of achieving sustainability and making the SRF a reality.

“The planning and approval stage is a lengthy process, but we are making headway. We are committed, both principally and financially, to completing this project, which will be beneficial for the company, our community, and the overall environment” says Nicholas Meat’s Director of Sustainability, Brian Miller, who has led the company’s efforts on this project since day one.

“Our application for a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit was submitted, and after a lengthy review, we are excited to announce it has been approved.” Most recently, Nicholas Meat provided additional details to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in order to address questions, the department had related to the company’s NPDES permit application. These requests for additional information, referred to as “technical deficiency letters” are common for complex projects such as this. Nicholas Meat timely addressed all questions and provided information as requested by the DEP.

As a result, the DEP notified Nicholas Meat February 11, 2021 that the NPDES permit was approved. Nicholas Meat has teamed up with what we feel is the best of the best. For more than 40 years, Global Water and Energy (GWE) has created and implemented green energy, water reuse, and industrial wastewater treatment solutions for pulp, paper, food, and beverage companies all over the world. GWE also has one of the most extensive and progressive technology portfolios of any company in the industry. Every day, GWE helps companies just like ours become less fossil fuel dependent and better environmental stewards. The company supports the community in numerous ways and our commitment to build the SRF will provide additional benefits to the community and the environment we share with others.

Additional benefits to the community will include:

• Underground piping will transport materials to and from the meat processing facility, reducing truck traffic on Route 880. Less truck traffic means fewer carbon emissions.

• Digestion occurs in an enclosed environment, capturing greenhouse gases and odorous emissions.

• Renewable energy will replace fossil fuels and decrease our carbon footprint.

• An advanced water treatment system will allow for maximum water reuse, minimizing impact on the underground aquifer.

• Digested solids become organic, nutrient-rich, fertilizer, replacing chemical fertilizers.

“Our team has worked diligently to provide the plans, details, and technical data for this project to the DEP and other regulatory bodies, as required,” explains Miller. “Now that we have the NPDES permit, we are ready to move forward with construction.”

Download our Information Brief about the Sustainable Resource Facility.