Smurfit Recycling to Provide Recycling Services to Philadelphia

Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation, Chicago, today announced that its Smurfit Recycling Company plant in Philadelphia received a one-year contract from the City of Philadelphia to purchase and process recyclable materials collected from the city’s 1.4 million residents and various municipal buildings. The initial term of the contract is from July 2002 through June 2003, with three one-year contract extensions possible at the City’s discretion.

Over the initial term of the contract, the City of Philadelphia will realize approximately $700,000 in rebates from the sale of the recycled material to Smurfit-Stone.

David Robinson, recycling coordinator for the City of Philadelphia, said the city is encouraged by the partnership. “Smurfit-Stone has stepped up and made a tremendous commitment to Philadelphia’s recycling program. Working with them, we are poised to reach our ambitious goal of having the premiere residential recycling program in the country."

The contract includes service for residential newspaper and commingled material, including glass and metal food and beverage containers. The service covers all six residential zones within the City of Philadelphia. Smurfit-Stone will support Philadelphia in its efforts to increase the collection of recyclables and heighten the awareness of the environmental benefits of recycling.

In conjunction with awarding the contract, Philadelphia adjusted its recycling schedule to coincide with residential trash collection to facilitate program participation.

Andie Holt, general manager of Smurfit's Philadelphia plant, said the partnership will build upon the city’s efforts to increase recycling participation, while diverting an increased amount of recyclable materials from the waste stream.

“We envision this partnership with the City’s Recycling Office as a model for other major metropolitan cities,” Holt said. “Through this program, we will be able to educate the residents and bring focus to the City’s commitment to recycling. This partnership with the City will not only reap the environmental benefits that come with recycling and reuse, but the City will also realize financial gain through rebates from increased collection.”

The City of Philadelphia generates approximately 2,500 tons per month of old newspaper and 800 tons per month of commingled waste and recyclable material.