Companies recognized for contributions to economy, environment.
Published December 10, 2007
The South Carolina Recycling Market Development Advisory Council and the state’s Department of Commerce have recognized four recycling businesses for their impact on South Carolina’s environment, communities and economy.
The following businesses were recognized at an event held in the fall of 2007 for achievements in recycling:
Renew Resources LLC, Rock Hill, S.C., as “Best Small Recycling Business.” Renew Resources was established in 1999 as a recycler of used oil filters and antifreeze and has since added a variety of other recycling options for its customers. In 2006, Renew Resources diverted 2.5 million pounds of used oil filters from the area landfill and recycled more than 50,000 gallons of used antifreeze. Its multi-axis hydraulic crushing machine converts used oil filters into compact bricks which are then sent to steel mills to be recycled. From its filter crushing process, Renew Resources has generated more than 200,000 gallons of used oil.
PBR of Columbia, West Columbia, S.C., as “Best Medium Industry Recycling Program.” PBR of Columbia is a brake manufacturer that supplies brake system products and technology to the global automotive market. The company recycles cardboard, plastic bottles, pallets, iron, aluminum cans, magazines, office paper and plastic bags. Through its recycling efforts, it has diverted more than 4,700 tons of material from area landfills while also recycling 780 tons of aluminum annually. Its wastewater reduction and recycling process has recycled more than 880,000 gallons of water.
Southeastern Plastics Recovery, Charleston, S.C., as “Best Emerging Market Recycling Business.” Southeastern Plastics Recovery is a hauler and recycler of post-consumer carpeting and carpet-related scrap. The company has recycled more than 50 million pounds of carpet cushion and carpeting during its 20 years in business. It is a corporate sponsor for the Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE), a joint industry-government effort to increase the recycling and reuse of post-consumer carpet and decrease the amount of carpet waste going to landfills. Southeastern Plastics Recovery has retail customers and county solid waste recycling sites in seven South Carolina cities.
Nucor Steel Darlington, Darlington, S.C., as “Recycler of the Year.” By content, 98 percent of the steel produced at Nucor Steel’s Darlington Facility is comprised of recycled steel scrap. It also recycles 99 percent of byproducts generated during its steelmaking processes, as well as 120,000 tons of slag material annually. The facility recycles more than one million tons of old cars, appliances, steel from old buildings and many other items. More than 15,000 tons of electric arc furnace dust is recycled at Nucor Steel and used as a raw material feedstock, and the company also recycles more than 35,000 gallons of water per minute - conserving more than 18 billion gallons of water per year.
In an effort to further grow the recycling industry and increase recycling among the state’s businesses, the Department of Commerce has joined the Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) in launching the S.C. Smart Business Recycling Program in 2007. The program partners include three DHEC programs – the Center for Waste Minimization, Small Business Environmental Assistance Program, and Office of Solid Waste Reduction and Recycling – and the S.C. Department of Commerce’s Recycling Market Development Program.
The program offers free, confidential and non-regulatory assistance to businesses, non-profits, governments and other organizations. Businesses interested in more information about the program can visit www.scdhec.gov/smartbusiness.
