Consumables

Smurfit-Stone Partners With Advanced Disposal for Waste and Recycling Solutions in Cobb County, GA

Tuesday 28. July 2009 - Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation today announced a new partnership between its Recycling division and Advanced Disposal Services in Cobb County, Ga. Through this joint venture, Smurfit-Stone will convert Cobb County's composting facility in Marietta, Ga., for use as a materials recycling facility (MRF). Advanced Disposal will manage the adjacent waste transfer station.

“Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation and Advanced Disposal Services are uniquely qualified to help Cobb County meet its budgetary, recycling and waste management goals,” said Sam Olens, chairman of the Cobb County Board of Commissioners. “This is an important step in the county’s green initiative and we are excited to have formed a partnership that will meet the needs of our residents and commercial waste haulers.”

Smurfit-Stone is retrofitting sort line equipment in the 200,000 square-foot composting facility to provide residential and commercial recycling services. Smurfit-Stone also operates Advanced Disposal’s MRFs in Jacksonville, Fla., and Atlanta, Ga.

“Recycling is a fundamental aspect of our business and an integral part of our commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship,” said Mike Oswald, senior vice president and general manager of Smurfit-Stone’s Recycling division. “Our recycling and waste management solutions and innovative partnerships help communities, businesses and waste haulers recover valuable materials from the waste stream, turning what was previously an expense into a source of revenue.”

Advanced Disposal’s partnership with Smurfit-Stone in Cobb County and elsewhere allows both companies to excel at what they do best, said Mary O’Brien, Chief Marketing Officer for Advanced Disposal.

“By combining talents, we are able to offer a unique and fiscally sound solution to Cobb County’s waste and recycling needs,” O’Brien said. “Our joint venture will allow the County to save money while increasing the recycling opportunities for residents and businesses.”

With 29 plants in the United States offering comprehensive recycling and waste solutions, Smurfit-Stone is investing in automated sort systems and focusing on strategic partnerships with cities and waste haulers to dig deeper into the waste stream.

Smurfit-Stone also has invested in production tracking equipment to improve customer service and efficiency by identifying and reducing the causes of downtime on its sort lines and balers.

Smurfit-Stone collected approximately 6.6 million tons of recyclables in 2008. In addition to benefiting communities and business partners, Smurfit-Stone’s recycling operations also provide a secure source of fiber for its mill system.