Republic Services and Ravago in Partnership to Build Recycling Capacity

Republic Services, an provider of environmental services, and Ravago, a polymer recycling and distribution company, announced the creation of Blue Polymers, an innovative partnership that will help advance circularity in the plastics industry. Blue Polymers is developing a network of facilities designed to produce 100% post-consumer recycled products to supply plastic manufacturers' growing demand for sustainable solutions.

The new facilities will utilize recycled polyethylene and polypropylene from Republic Services' Polymer Centers to create recycled resin for consumer packaging and other applications. The process will convert high-density polyethylene and polypropylene into fully formulated products for use in both food-grade and non-food-grade sustainable applications.

"Companies today are setting aggressive recycled content goals, and Republic Services has a unique opportunity to meet the demand for high-quality recycled plastics through our Polymer Centers, and now the creation of Blue Polymers," says Jon Vander Ark, Republic Services president and chief executive officer. "Ravago's leadership in plastics recycling and compounding makes them a natural partner as we take the next step in advancing plastics circularity."

Four Blue Polymers facilities are planned to open over the next four years, beginning in late 2024. Combined, they're expected to produce 300 million pounds per year of recycled plastics. Products will include custom-blended and compounded materials for individual customers to help them achieve their sustainability goals and comply with federal, state or local requirements for recycled content.

Additionally, a portion of rPET flake from Republic's Polymer Centers will be marketed and distributed by Ravago through its customer network.