Sonoco Recycling Completes $2 Million Upgrade at North Carolina MRF

Sonoco Recycling, a unit of Sonoco, Hartsville, S.C., USA, and one of the largest packaging recyclers in North America, has completed a $2 million upgrade at its Onslow County, N.C., materials recovery facility (MRF). The upgrades will allow the MRF to process a higher volume of recyclables.

With locations and expertise worldwide, Sonoco Recycling annually collects more than 3 million tons of old corrugated containers, various grades of paper, metals, and plastics. Currently, Sonoco Recycling operates six MRFs and serves more than 125 communities in which curbside-collected residential and commercial materials are processed. The company also provides recycling programs that identify waste reduction opportunities for many of the largest consumer product companies in the U.S.

"Onslow County is one of the premier coastal counties of North Carolina and environmental stewardship has always been of the utmost importance," said Scott Bost, solid waste director, Onslow County. "With that in mind, we are extremely pleased to partner with Sonoco Recycling to provide long-term recycling capabilities to the citizens of the Onslow County area. Sonoco Recycling's expertise and many years of experience in the recycling industry will continue to move the county forward with efficient and sustainable waste management."

Ray Howard, GM, Sonoco Recycling, agrees. "In the year that we've been here, we've found the Onslow community to be very progressive in the areas of sustainability and recycling. We are excited to provide them with expanded recycling capabilities and help the county continue to move forward in these areas."

In addition to new equipment, the company also added an education room, and has been providing tours to approximately three classes of students per week. Currently, the tours are open to students of all ages, including first grade through high school seniors."

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