Recycling Works Newsletter Summer 2021

RBAC's quarterly newsletter discusses current topics of interest to recycling businesses, including information on financing opportunities, commodity markets and new technologies.

In the Summer 2021 Recycling Works issue:

Recycling Business Develpoment Grant September RFP

The 2022 Recycling Business Development grant round will open with release of the RFP on September 3, 2021. Standard projects will have a maximum award of $40,000 while priority projects can apply for $60,000. Priority areas for 2022 will include MRF equipment, non-bottle plastics, mixed paper, food waste, and manufacturing using recycled content. To find the RFP when it is released as well as a complete list of priority projects visit: https://deq.nc.gov/conservation/recycling-business-assistance/financing/grants

Elizabeth Biser Announced as DEQ Secretary

Elizabeth Biser has been confirmed as Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality. Governor Cooper announced Biser’s appointment as DEQ Secretary, citing her strong leadership, experience with the environmental agency, and knowledge of DEQ’s critical work in North Carolina.

Secretary Biser has recently worked as Senior Policy Advisor of the Recycling Partnership and as the President of Biser Strategies LLC. Press release: https://deq.nc.gov/news/press-releases/2021/07/01/deq-secretary-takes-oath-office

NC Business Leaders Use Recycled Content 

North Carolina is fortunate to have numerous manufacturers that use recycled content in the products they produce.  Not only do these manufacturers bring jobs and capital investment into local communities, but they also add value to the recyclables that North Carolinians recycle at the curb, at drop off centers, and at their workplace.  This is what completes the cycle in recycling.  The NC Recycling Business Assistance Center and Waste Reduction Partners developed profiles of these businesses to highlight their stories and their contributions to our local economy as an end market for recyclables.

Follow this link to see more about the NC Business Leaders Using Recycled Content.  If you are a manufacturer that uses recycled content that we have not yet been in contact with, please reach out to us so that we can learn about your business and share your story.  Contact Jan at Jhardin@wrpnc.org. 

Save the Date for the CPRC Conference

The Carolina Plastics Recycling Coalition will host a ½ day webinar on November 10th from 9am – 1pm. Topics discussed will include The State of Plastic Recycling, Emerging Plastic Recycling Markets, and Policy Drivers for Plastics Recycling. Registration will open soon.

Governor Cooper Announces Polywood Expansion

Polywood, a manufacturer of outdoor furniture made from recycled plastics, will expand its operations in Person County to create 300 jobs over five years, Governor Roy Cooper announced on July 27, 2021. The company will invest $61.6 million to build additional capacity at its manufacturing and distribution center in Roxboro.

Polywood manufactures low-maintenance outdoor furniture, built with lumber created from recycled plastics. The company developed state-of-the-art technology and lean manufacturing processes that minimize waste and ensure products are built to order with next day shipping. Polywood was founded by Doug Rassi in 1990 with the idea of taking milk jugs and recycling them into plastic lumber furniture.

You can find the complete announcement here:

Announced Facility Expansions: