NC Recycling Plant Expanding

FCR’s Greensboro, N.C. single-stream recycling plant is expected to have a sizable upgrade and improvement of its facilities with the installation of new equipment.

The company, which takes in old newspaper, old corrugated, plastics, glass, and other residentially generated recyclables, is looking to improve its operations with the addition of around $1.5 million worth of new equipment that should allow the facility to increase the amount of material the plant can handle a month.

Steve Rich, plant manager for FCR, said he has been waiting for two years for the new equipment to be installed at the plant. While there are some discussions about time frame now, he feels that the equipment should be in place within the next six months.

Rich added that the equipment will include star screens and other types of automated sorting equipment. When the new equipment is in place the company will be able to eliminate one shift. Additionally, the company is expected to see its residual volume sharply decrease.

As part of its expansion plan, FCR is negotiating a new contract with the city. The new contract would encourage the company to take in more recyclables.

Under the company's contract with the city, FCR does not pay to dump the remainder into the landfill. The new contract, Rich said, will make FCR responsible for the residual material.

Greensboro also stands to gain financially if FCR recovers more recyclables because the city gets a percentage of the profits from what the company sells.

At the present time, FCR handles around 3,700 tons of recyclables a month, more than the 3,000 tons the facility is technically capable of handling.