Blue Polymers Breaks Ground on Recycled Plastics Production Facility in Buckeye, Arizona

Rhea-AI Summary

Blue Polymers, , Republic Services (NYSE: RSG), and the City of Buckeye broke ground on a new recycled plastics production facility in Buckeye, Arizona. The 162,000-square-foot facility, set to open in the second half of 2025, will create over 60 highly skilled permanent jobs. It will specialize in recycling polyethylene and polypropylene for consumer packaging.

This facility is part of Republic Services' network of regional Polymer Center plastics recycling facilities, the first of their kind in North America. The Buckeye facility will process materials from Republic's Las Vegas Polymer Center. Blue Polymers aims to support package-to-package circularity with an annual production target of 300+ million pounds of recycled resins across its network of four regional facilities.

Positive

• Creation of over 60 highly skilled permanent jobs
• Annual production target of 300+ million pounds of recycled resins
• Meeting growing demand for sustainable packaging solutions
• Supporting package-to-package circularity in plastics recycling

Negative

• None.

Insights

Sustainability Expert

The groundbreaking of Blue Polymers' recycled plastics production facility in Buckeye, Arizona, marks a significant step towards meeting the growing demand for sustainable packaging solutions. This 162,000-square-foot facility is poised to play a important role in the circular economy by processing polyethylene and polypropylene into high-quality recycled plastics for consumer packaging.

The facility's strategic location and partnership with Republic Services' Polymer Centers create a robust ecosystem for recycling plastics collected from curbside operations. This vertical integration model enhances efficiency and ensures a steady supply of raw materials. The project aligns with both voluntary corporate sustainability commitments and emerging state legislation mandating minimum recycled content in packaging.

With an annual production target of over 300 million pounds of recycled resins, Blue Polymers is positioning itself as a key player in the sustainable packaging industry. The creation of 60+ highly skilled jobs also contributes to local economic development. This initiative demonstrates a proactive approach to addressing plastic waste issues and supports the transition towards a more sustainable packaging industry.

Market Research Analyst

The Blue Polymers facility in Buckeye represents a strategic move in the rapidly growing recycled plastics market. With increasing consumer awareness and regulatory pressures, the demand for recycled content in packaging is surging. This facility is well-positioned to capitalize on this trend, potentially capturing significant market share in the Western United States.

For Republic Services (RSG), this joint venture expands its value chain in the waste management industry, potentially boosting its revenue streams and profitability. The company's involvement in Blue Polymers allows it to vertically integrate its operations, transforming collected waste into valuable recycled materials. This move could enhance RSG's competitive position and create new growth opportunities in the circular economy sector.

Investors should note that this project aligns with broader ESG trends, which are increasingly influencing investment decisions. The facility's focus on package-to-package circularity and its role in meeting legislative requirements could make it an attractive proposition for environmentally conscious investors and potentially lead to premium valuation multiples for RSG.

Innovative operation will help meet growing demand for sustainable packaging

BUCKEYE, Ariz., Sept. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Leaders from Blue Polymers, LLC; Republic Services (NYSE: RSG); and the City of Buckeye broke ground today on Blue Polymers' latest innovative recycled plastics production facility, which will support sustainable packaging manufacturing throughout the Western United States. The 162,000-square-foot facility is expected to create more than 60 highly skilled permanent jobs when it opens in Buckeye in the second half of 2025.

The Blue Polymers facility will specialize in recycled polyethylene, commonly found in milk jugs and laundry detergent bottles, and polypropylene, used in consumer packaging, such as margarine tubs and yogurt cups. These plastics will be processed and formulated into high-quality, drop-in recycled plastic solutions for the packaging industry.

"Blue Polymers was created to meet the need for high-quality recycled plastics for use in consumer packaging and other applications," said Tim Oudman, senior vice president of sustainability innovation, at Republic Services and a member of Blue Polymers' board of directors. "We appreciate the support we've received from the City of Buckeye and the Arizona Commerce Authority for this project, as well as from our development partners Merit, FCL and Butler Design Group."

Phoenix-based Republic Services, a joint venture partner in Blue Polymers, is developing a network of regional Polymer Center plastics recycling facilities. These centers, the first of their kind in North America, produce high-quality, color-sorted recycled plastics directly from Republic's national curbside collection operations. Each Republic Services Polymer Center will be paired with a Blue Polymers facility; the Buckeye facility will process materials from Republic's Las Vegas Polymer Center, which opened in late 2023.

"This regional recycling plant solidifies Buckeye's commitment to bringing high-quality, advanced manufacturing jobs to our residents," said Buckeye Mayor Eric Orsborn. "Blue Polymers' investment in the city, along with their innovative strategies to use recycled plastics for everyday consumer products, will ensure we remain a vibrant, sustainable community."

Demand is rising for domestically sourced, high-quality recycled plastics from both voluntary sustainability commitments and state legislation. Many consumer-packaged goods (CPG) companies are pledging to incorporate more recycled content into their packaging designs. At the same time, five states have implemented minimum recycled content requirements for single-use packaging. Republic's Polymer Centers and Blue Polymers' innovative facilities will help meet this demand.

"We are excited to celebrate the groundbreaking of Blue Polymers' recycled plastics production facility in Buckeye," said Sandra Watson, president and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority. "The addition of this facility adds to Arizona's leadership in sustainable technologies while creating more jobs for Arizona residents."

Blue Polymers' facilities aim to support true package-to-package circularity, with an annual production target of 300+ million pounds of recycled resins. The Buckeye facility joins the previously announced Indianapolis location as part of Blue Polymers' network of four regional facilities.

About Blue Polymers
Blue Polymers, LLC is a joint venture bringing together leaders in collection, recycling, processing and distribution to transform plastics circularity and support sustainable packaging. Learn more at BluePolymers.com.

Blue Polymers Media Relations
Media@BluePolymers.com

Republic Services Media Relations
Media@RepublicServices.com
(480) 757-9770

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SOURCE Blue Polymers

FAQ

When will Blue Polymers' new recycled plastics facility in Buckeye, Arizona open?

The new Blue Polymers recycled plastics production facility in Buckeye, Arizona is expected to open in the second half of 2025.

How many jobs will the new Blue Polymers facility in Buckeye create?

The new Blue Polymers facility in Buckeye, Arizona is expected to create more than 60 highly skilled permanent jobs when it opens.

What types of plastics will the Blue Polymers facility in Buckeye recycle?

The Blue Polymers facility in Buckeye will specialize in recycling polyethylene (found in milk jugs and detergent bottles) and polypropylene (used in consumer packaging like margarine tubs and yogurt cups).

How does the Blue Polymers facility in Buckeye relate to Republic Services (RSG)?

Republic Services (NYSE: RSG) is a joint venture partner in Blue Polymers. The Buckeye facility will process materials from Republic's Las Vegas Polymer Center, which is part of Republic's network of regional plastics recycling facilities.