QRS of Maryland launches $15M Baltimore-based plastics recycling facility

Dive Brief:

QRS of Maryland LLC has opened a $15 million high-tech recycling facility in Dundalk, MD, to separate and recycle postconsumer plastics. The plant — which will double its capacity to process 4,500 tons of materials a month — will be able to separate products by resin type and recycle them for new products and packaging.
The operation will create 60 full-time jobs, and Baltimore County will assist in recruitment through its career center, says Will Anderson, director of the Department of Economic and Workforce Development.
QRS of Maryland is partially funded by Closed Loop Fund, an "impact investment fund" group that partners with Walmart, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Keurig Green Mountain, and six other large corporations, with plans to invest $100 on U.S. recycling infrastructure by 2020.

Dive Insight:

The multimillion dollar plastics recovery operation will revitalize Baltimore at a time when the city is investing in new ways to address its trash problems, from high-tech garbage receptacles for residents, to a water wheel that removes trash from the city’s Inner Harbor, to a trash troops initiative.

Calling Dundalk a "perfect fit" for the domestic recycling business, Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz says, “QRS of Maryland brings new jobs, new investment and a steady stream of plastics recycling that will help us all live in a more environmentally friendly way."

The manufacturing and reconditioning of plastic is indeed becoming a job and revenue generator, as seen through the recent work of organizations like Encore. Additionally the new Baltimore plant will provide an efficient way to process mixed postconsumer plastic containers for communities and recyclers throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic.

SWANA CEO David Biderman said the association is pleased to see support through Closed Loop Funds for operations invested in plastics recycling technology, such as QRS.

"Low-cost financing that helps support the development and expansion of our national recycling infrastructure is critical to the industry’s future success," Biderman said in an e-mail. "These investments offer a nice blend of new market development and enhanced recyclables collection and processing by organizations that have been long-time industry participants."