Republic Services to Build State-of-the-Art Recycling Center in the St. Louis Area

Rhea-AI Summary

Republic Services (NYSE: RSG) has announced plans to build a state-of-the-art recycling center in Bridgeton, Missouri, set to open in mid-2027. The 105,000-square-foot facility will serve Greater St. Louis and surrounding regions, processing recyclables from approximately 3 million people. The facility will handle up to 45 tons per hour of single-stream recyclables, featuring advanced technology including 10 optical sorters, screening technology, and AI systems for contamination reduction.

The project, with groundbreaking expected in Q1 2026, will create 200 construction jobs and 60 permanent positions. Republic Services currently employs nearly 1,000 people in the St. Louis area and operates 12 facilities in the region. The company processes 5 million tons of recyclable materials annually through 75 facilities nationwide.

Positive

• New 105,000-square-foot facility will expand processing capacity to 45 tons per hour
• Implementation of cutting-edge technology including AI and optical sorters to improve efficiency
• Creation of 200 construction jobs and 60 permanent positions
• Potential for improved recycling rates and sustainability metrics in the region

Negative

• Significant capital investment required for construction and technology implementation
• Project completion not expected until mid-2027, indicating a long development timeline
• Success dependent on permitting process approval

Insights

Sustainability Infrastructure Analyst

Republic Services' new high-tech recycling center in St. Louis strengthens market position and advances sustainability strategy through significant operational expansion.

Republic Services' announcement of a new recycling center in Bridgeton marks a significant infrastructure expansion in a major metropolitan market. The 105,000-square-foot facility will process recyclables from approximately 3 million people with capacity to handle 45 tons per hour – equivalent to nine truckloads – representing substantial operational scale.

The technological specifications are particularly noteworthy. The facility will deploy at least 10 optical sorters using digital recognition technology, advanced screening systems, and artificial intelligence for contamination reduction. These features place this facility at the cutting edge of recycling infrastructure, enabling more efficient material recovery and potentially higher-quality recyclable outputs.

This investment strengthens Republic's already substantial regional presence (currently 1,000 employees across 12 facilities) and aligns with broader industry trends toward improved recycling technology and capacity. The 60 permanent jobs and 200 construction positions provide modest economic benefits to the local community.

From a strategic perspective, this facility represents Republic's continued commitment to expanding its recycling footprint beyond its current 75 facilities processing 5 million tons annually. The investment timing – with groundbreaking in Q1 2026 and completion in mid-2027 – indicates this is a planned long-term strategic initiative rather than a reactive measure.

The facility appears positioned to serve not just residential customers but also commercial clients seeking improved sustainability metrics, potentially strengthening Republic's competitive position in securing long-term municipal and commercial contracts in the region.

Company expects the 105,000-square-foot facility to play a vital role in improving recycling rates throughout Greater St. Louis

ST. LOUIS, May 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE: RSG), a leader in the environmental services industry, today announced plans to construct a state-of-the-art recycling center in Bridgeton, Mo., to serve Greater St. Louis and the region. Republic Services expects the facility, anticipated to open in mid-2027, will have higher capacity and more advanced technology than current facilities in the area, helping to improve recycling rates.

The 105,000-square-foot recycling center is estimated to manage recyclables from approximately 3 million people throughout Greater St. Louis and surrounding communities. The high-capacity facility will process up to 45 tons, or nine truckloads, of single-stream recyclables per hour, including paper, cardboard, plastic bottles and jugs, aluminum and metal food and beverage cans, and glass bottles and jars.

"Our investment in this new recycling center reinforces Republic Services' commitment to circularity, sustainability and the St. Louis community," said Republic Services Area President Andrew Wempe. "It will meet growing demand for recycling throughout Greater St. Louis and help our customers achieve their sustainability goals."

The facility will be designed with cutting-edge recycling technology, including a minimum of 10 optical sorters that use digital recognition to identify and separate paper or plastic in milliseconds, screening technology to sort recycling material by size and remove unrecyclable material from the stream, and artificial intelligence (AI) to help reduce contamination. AI system data also will enable real-time adjustments to maximize the volume of materials recycled.

Groundbreaking, contingent on the permitting process, is anticipated to occur in the first quarter of 2026. The project is expected to create up to 200 full-time construction jobs, and 60 full-time employees will work at the facility once completed.

Republic Services has a large presence in Greater St. Louis. The company employs nearly 1,000 people in the area and operates 12 facilities, including hauling locations, transfer stations, recycling centers and disposal sites.

The company also actively supports Greater St. Louis through community investment and volunteer initiatives. Over the last seven years, support from Republic Services and the Republic Services Charitable Foundation to area nonprofits has positively impacted more than 360,000 people in Greater St. Louis and more than 650,000 people throughout Missouri. 

As one of the nation's largest recyclers, Republic Services processes 5 million tons of recyclable materials annually through 75 facilities across the country.

About Republic Services
Republic Services, Inc. is a leader in the environmental services industry. Through its subsidiaries, the Company provides customers with the most complete set of products and services, including recycling, solid waste, special waste, hazardous waste and field services. Republic's industry-leading commitments to advance circularity and support decarbonization are helping deliver on its vision to partner with customers to create a more sustainable world. For more information, please visit RepublicServices.com.

INFORMATION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains certain forward-looking information about us that is intended to be covered by the safe harbor provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "guidance," "expect," "will," "may," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "can," "could," and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance and are based upon our current expectations, which we believe to be reasonable, but cannot assure you will prove to be correct. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations expressed in the forward-looking statements are our ability to realize the expected benefits of our recycling center, our expectations regarding the impact of the center, the volume of materials it can process, and the jobs and other benefits it will create. More information on factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated is included from time to time in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Media
Republic Services Media Relations
media@republicservices.com
480-757-9770

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SOURCE Republic Services, Inc.

FAQ

When will Republic Services (RSG) open its new recycling center in St. Louis?

Republic Services plans to open the new recycling center in Bridgeton, Missouri in mid-2027, with groundbreaking expected in Q1 2026, subject to permitting approval.

How many jobs will Republic Services' new St. Louis recycling facility create?

The project will create up to 200 full-time construction jobs and 60 full-time permanent positions once the facility is completed.

What is the processing capacity of RSG's new St. Louis recycling center?

The facility will process up to 45 tons (nine truckloads) of single-stream recyclables per hour, serving approximately 3 million people in the Greater St. Louis area.

What technology will Republic Services use in its new St. Louis recycling facility?

The facility will feature at least 10 optical sorters with digital recognition, screening technology, and artificial intelligence systems to reduce contamination and optimize recycling operations.

How large is Republic Services' new recycling center in St. Louis?

The new recycling center will be 105,000 square feet in size and will be located in Bridgeton, Missouri.