PHX Reporter

Republic Services has proposed an Earth Month challenge to encourage the recycling of plastic water bottles. Currently, the recycling rate of these single-use bottles stands at just 33%. This indicates that about 70% of these bottles are not recycled.

"There's a big misconception that plastic can't be recycled," Pete Keller, Republic Services' vice president of recycling and sustainability, stated. "In fact, we recycle 300 million pounds of plastic every year, and this material is in high demand to produce new bottles and jugs. Everyone should be recycling their water and beverage bottles. It's not difficult to do, and this small action will make a difference one bottle at a time."

Republic Services plays a significant role in plastics recycling. The company manages a network of facilities dedicated to converting plastic waste collected from curbside bins into usable plastics. They plan to invest $500 million in these facilities over the coming years. The company claims that last year, they recycled over 2.5 billion water bottles.

Republic Services will collaborate with the Association of Plastic Recyclers in May to provide the public with a better understanding of recycling processes. This initiative will include open house events nationwide, illustrating how recyclables are sorted and processed. Information about recycling center tours can be found at plasticsrecycling.org/recycling-in-action.

For additional recycling advice, Republic Services offers resources on their website RecyclingSimplified.com.

Republic Services, Inc. is a prominent player in the environmental services sector, offering a wide array of recycling and waste management services. The company's efforts contribute to greater circularity and decarbonization. Further details are available at RepublicServices.com.