New Recycled Plastics Facility Breaks Ground in Buckeye, Promising Sustainable Packaging Solutions
BUCKEYE, AZ (September 25, 2024) — In a significant step toward sustainable packaging, Blue Polymers, LLC, in collaboration with Republic Services, the Arizona Commerce Authority, and the City of Buckeye, has commenced construction on a state-of-the-art recycled plastics production facility. This 162,000-square-foot site is poised to generate over 60 skilled jobs locally upon its completion in late 2025.
Focusing on recycled polyethylene and polypropylene, Blue Polymers’ facility aims to supply the packaging industry with high-quality materials sourced from common consumer goods like milk jugs and yogurt cups. This initiative marks a pivotal effort to meet the increasing demand for sustainable packaging solutions.
Blue Polymers was created to meet the need for high-quality recycled plastics for use in consumer packaging and other applications,
expressed Tim Oudman, Senior Vice President of Sustainability Innovation at Republic Services and a board member of Blue Polymers. We’re grateful to the City of Buckeye and the Arizona Commerce Authority for their support for this project, as well as to our development partners at Merit, FCL Builders and Butler Design Group.
Republic Services, partnering with Blue Polymers, is expanding its innovative Polymer Centers network across North America. These centers produce top-tier, color-sorted recycled plastics from Republic’s curbside collections. The Buckeye facility will process materials from Republic’s Las Vegas Polymer Center, which started operations in late 2023.
We are excited to celebrate the groundbreaking of Blue Polymers’ recycled plastics production facility in Buckeye,
stated 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.
Buckeye Mayor Eric Orsborn shared, This regional recycling plant solidifies Buckeye’s commitment to bringing high-quality, advanced manufacturing jobs to our residents. 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.
The demand for high-quality, domestically sourced recycled plastics is on the rise, driven by both corporate sustainability commitments and state mandates. Several states now require minimum recycled content in single-use packaging, and companies in the consumer-packaged goods sector are increasingly integrating recycled materials into their products. Republic’s Polymer Centers, along with Blue Polymers’ cutting-edge facilities, are poised to address this growing need.
Alyssa Tufts, Arizona Commerce Authority, [email protected]
Annie DeChance, City of Buckeye, [email protected]
About Blue Polymers
Blue Polymers, LLC is a joint venture uniting leaders in collection, recycling, processing, and distribution to enhance plastics circularity and promote sustainable packaging. More information is available at BluePolymers.com.
About the Arizona Commerce Authority
The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) spearheads economic development initiatives to strengthen Arizona’s economy. With a strategic focus on attracting, expanding, and creating businesses, the ACA is committed to fostering growth in targeted industries. For additional details, visit azcommerce.com and follow on Twitter @azcommerce.
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