Southern Recycling breaks ground on Kentucky facility

New plant will increase processing capacity in south central Kentucky.

Southern Recycling LLC, a subsidiary of Houchens Industries, has broken ground on a new $16 million recycling facility in Bowling Green, Kentucky, that was announced in October 2017.

The March 9, 2018, groundbreaking including company officials as well as regional officials from Warren County, the city of Bowling Green and the Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce.

The new facility will include new scrap processing equipment being installed to increase the capacity for paper, plastic and scrap metal processing in the region.

“Houchens is excited about this expansion and what it will mean to the Bowling Green and Warren County communities,” said Spencer Coates, president of Houchens Industries, during the groundbreaking ceremony. “We are grateful for the support this community has shown us.”

Southern Recycling, founded in 1985, serves more than 50,000 customers in south central Kentucky. It operates five processing facilities, including two in Tennessee. The company estimates it ships more than 25,000 tons of recyclables per month from its facilities.

Houchens, headquartered in Bowling Green, operates as the holding company and as a franchisee for more than 40 firms, including retailers,

“This is going to be a state-of-the-art recycling center,” says John Fellonneau, president of Southern Recycling. “This will enable the company to grow substantially in the coming years and better serve our community.”