The Mountain Top Council of Governments (COG) held a ribbon cutting for its new recycling grinder known as “The Beast” on Jan. 13.
The huge piece of machinery is located at the COG’s compost facility in the Crestwood Industrial Park. The facility is operated by Wright Township.
The machine, a Bandit Beast Recycler, is used to grind trees, shrubs and other large yard waste into small particles which eventually become compost. The Beast was purchased from Stephenson Equipment of Pittston at a cost of $346,427. An additional grapple accessory costs another $25,000. The COG received a $75,000 trade-in allowance for its old machine which had been out of service for some time. Entire cost of the equipment was covered by a $350,000 grant from the state Department of Environmental Protection.
Township officials put The Beast into immediate use grinding up Christmas trees dropped off at the compost site as well as a large pile of yard waste left over from the summer and fall. Supervisors pointed out mulch will be available during the spring and summer for township residents and residents of neighboring communities who purchase permits.
