Sonoco's Global Recovered Paper Division Renamed Sonoco Recycling
Division Repositioned to Combine Recycling Capabilities with Environmental Sustainability Services
Hartsville, S.C. - Sonoco (NYSE: SON), one of the largest diversified global packaging companies, has renamed its global recovered paper operations as Sonoco Recycling, and repositioned the business unit to combine the Company's long-established recycling capabilities with new market-driven environmentally sustainable services such as waste management consulting, it was announced by Jack Sanders, senior vice president of Sonoco.
"As one of the largest recyclers in the packaging industry, Sonoco has extensive materials recovery experience, and we are constantly developing new, cost-effective sustainable packaging solutions and services for our customers," said Sanders. "The fact is, Sonoco's recycling capabilities have grown far beyond collecting paper to meet our internal raw material needs. Today, Sonoco Recycling has the resources and expertise needed to meet the changing needs of our customers as they are looking for more environmentally sustainable services."
Sonoco annually collects about 3.5 million tons of recyclable materials. Collections are expanding to include not only old corrugated containers and other paper, but also plastic, metal, glass and other recyclable materials. Sonoco Recycling collects and processes recyclable materials through 46 locations in North America and Europe, operates a fleet of trucks with 1,300 trailers and has a team of recycling professionals, many who are experts in waste management and manufacturing process improvement.
Sonoco Recycling will continue to use and develop state-of-the-art technology to recover, process and sell recycled materials. Last year, Sonoco began operating a fully automated, state-of-the-art materials recovery facility (MRF) that recycles curbside-collected and dual-stream residential and commercial waste materials from the Raleigh and Wake County, N.C., areas. The 45,000 square foot recycling facility uses a computer-automated reclamation processing system. Sonoco Recycling operates a similar facility in Columbia, S.C.
Myles Cohen, division vice president and general manager, Sonoco Recycling, said the Company also has the unique ability to share its recycling expertise with other manufacturers, distribution centers, retailers and other businesses looking to enhance their environmentally sustainable business practices. "Recycling is a business that Sonoco has always done well," Cohen said. "However, today there are many new elements to the business of Sonoco Recycling. With our extensive experience and scope of operations, we are well positioned to reach our ultimate goal, which is to eliminate landfill wastes for the Company and its customers."
Sonoco Chairman, President and CEO Harris E. DeLoach, Jr., will discuss Sonoco Recycling and the Business of Sustainable Packaging Leadership in a Keynote Presentation at the Third Annual Sustainable Packaging Forum in Pittsburgh, Pa., Wednesday, September 26. Myles Cohen, division vice president and general manager, Sonoco Recycling, will also speak at the Forum about Best Practices in Recycling and Sustainable Operations on Thursday, September 27.
About Sonoco
Sonoco, founded in 1899, is a global manufacturer of industrial and consumer products and provider of packaging services, with more than 325 operations in 35 countries serving customers in 85 nations. Additional information about Sonoco is available at sonoco.com.
Contact: Ginny Jones
843-339-6048
ginny.jones@sonoco.com
