Pasco County marks topping off milestone at waste-to-energy site expansion

Florida Construction News staff writer

Pasco County and Reworld celebrated a significant construction milestone this week with the placement of the final steel beam atop the expanded Thermomechanical Treatment Facility (TTF), marking the structural “topping off” of the $260 million project.The expansion includes the addition of a fourth boiler and is expected to increase annual processing capacity by 160,000 tons. This enhancement will boost energy output from 29 megawatts to 44 megawatts per hour, providing sustainable power to thousands of homes. The facility also incorporates advanced pollution control systems, making it one of the most advanced waste-to-energy facilities in the United States.“Our goal is to recycle as much as we can, as smartly as we can,” said Pasco County Solid Waste Director Kevin Pliska. “After that, we focus on recovering the remaining value from what’s left through waste-to-energy, which powers our community.”

Reworl has operated the site since it opened in 1991 and has partnered with the County throughout the expansion. Once complete, the project will significantly reduce landfill volume and contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable future for Pasco County.

The expansion reflects a growing demand for Thermomechanical Treatment Facilities (TTFs), which provide a proven solution for managing non-recyclable waste while recovering value through electricity generation and metal recovery.

“Reworld™ is proud to support Pasco County’s commitment to sustainable waste processing,” said Amir Hafzalla, President – South Region, Reworld™. “This facility expansion demonstrates how public-private partnerships can create long-term environmental and community benefits.”

The project is expected to reach full capacity by September 2026.