$3.5 million investment expected to create 30 new jobs
COLUMBIA, S.C. – February 1, 2012 – Pratt Industries, a leading recycled paper and packaging company, today announced the opening of a new material recovery facility (MRF) in Spartanburg County. The $3.5 million investment is expected to generate 30 new jobs.
Myles Cohen, president of Pratt Recycling, said the facility, located in Duncan, will service the recycling needs of businesses, cities and counties within a 100-mile radius.
“We’re extremely excited to partner with Spartanburg County and the state of South Carolina to bring this state-of-the-art recycling facility to Duncan,” said Cohen. “It will improve the recycling capability for the entire upstate region, so from an economic standpoint, this expansion benefits the state of South Carolina, area businesses and the communities in the Upstate.”
The 60,000-square-foot center, which will process residential and commercial single stream recycled material, will be fully operational by April 1.
“It’s a great day in South Carolina when another one of our existing businesses decides to increase its footprint in our state. We celebrate Pratt Industries’ investment in Duncan and the creation of 30 new jobs,” said Gov. Nikki Haley.
Last year, the recycling industry announced $333 million in capital investment and more than 800 new jobs with 15 new or existing companies. Since 2006, the industry has invested more than $4 billion and created more than 6,000 new jobs.
“Recycling-related companies like Pratt are making an impact in South Carolina. The company’s new investment will certainly build on that,” said Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt.
Pratt uses only 100 percent recyclables in its manufacturing process, which will help minimize landfill costs for businesses and municipalities.
“In addition to accepting curbside single stream from the area cities and counties, this facility will also process single stream recyclable material from commercial accounts including manufacturers, retailers, distribution centers and others,” Cohen added.
“We’re pleased to add Pratt Recycling’s expansion to the area’s effort to decrease material to local landfills. More and more companies are aware and are reducing their solid waste stream to landfills, and Pratt’s services will enhance their goal. We appreciate this capital investment and job opportunities for Spartanburg County,” said Carter Smith, executive vice president of Spartanburg County’s Economic Futures Group.
Pratt Recycling’s Southeast General Manager Kurt Schmitz said the MRF would deliver “cost-efficient recycling and waste solution programs due to its ability to bring the technologies for residential and commercial single stream recyclable processing under one roof.”
For information regarding hiring for the new positions, please contact Bryon Duty at [email protected] or 678-607-1005.
Pratt Industries is America’s fifth largest paper and packaging company with 4,000 green-collar workers in more than 20 states. For more information, please visit www.prattindustries.com.
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