Consumables
Smurfit-Stone Partners With Waste Services to Boost Recovery of Recyclables in Central Florida
Tuesday 29. April 2008 - Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation's recycling division has partnered with Waste Services, Inc., to operate Waste Services' materials recycling facility (MRF) at its Taft MRF and transfer station, near Orlando, FL.
Since entering into a partnership March 1 and combining Smurfit-Stone’s volumes of fiber and recyclables with Waste Services’ existing volumes, Smurfit-Stone has set production and efficiency records, increasing the recovery of recyclable materials at the Taft facility from 800 tons a month to approximately 3,200 tons a month.
For years one of the industry’s largest paper recyclers, Smurfit-Stone continues to grow in the areas of glass, aluminum, plastic, steel and scrap metal recycling.
“By continuing to find ways to extract additional fiber and other materials from the waste stream, our recycling operations are becoming more valuable to customers who require sustainable packaging and waste management solutions,” said Mike Oswald, senior vice president and general manager of Smurfit-Stone’s recycling division. “In addition to being a growth area of Smurfit-Stone’s business, recycling is an integral part of our sustainable commitment and philosophy of environmental stewardship.”
By capturing components previously considered waste, Smurfit-Stone is helping communities shrink their waste stream, thus reducing tipping fees, landfill expansion needs, and fuel emissions related to processing.
Dennis Pantano, Waste Services’ Central Florida region vice president said: “We are very pleased to have consummated this strategic partnership with Smurfit-Stone. Their expertise in the recycling industry coupled with Waste Services’ strength in the collection and disposal industry create a unique opportunity for our companies, our customers and ultimately our environment as we continue to strive to create shareholder value and do our part to strengthen our recycling program to help preserve our natural resources.”
In addition to benefiting communities, Smurfit-Stone’s recycling operations provide a secure source of fiber for its mill system. Smurfit-Stone’s combination of 25 recycling plants and 16 paper mills represent the largest integrated system in the industry.