Republic Services and Blue Polymers breaks ground on new recycling complex

Republic Services and Blue Polymers broke ground on a new Indianapolis plastics recycling complex Nov. 9. The complex will contain a Republic Services Polymer Center and a Blue Polymer advanced polymer production facility, which will improve plastic circularity production and supply recycled materials for sustainable packaging and other uses. Both of these facilities are expected to open in late 2024. 

“Through our Polymer Center network and Blue Polymers partnership, we’re helping customers achieve their ambitious recycled content goals by producing high-quality recycled plastics,” said Pete Keller, Republic Services’ vice president of recycling and sustainability. 

The Polymer Centers mark the first time a U.S company will manage plastic recycling from curbside collection of recycled materials to create high quality re-recycled products to be used in customer packaging.  

With the increasing demand for high-quality, domestically sourced recycled plastic, the Polymer Center and Blue Polymers facilities will directly support package-to-package circularity. For example, taking an orange detergent jug and recycling it into a new detergent mug. 

The complex will include two buildings, taking up approximately 286,000 square feet, and create an estimated 125 permanent, highly skilled jobs. The Indiana Economic Development Corp. (IEDC) committed up to $2 million in incentive-based tax credits and up to 10,000 in workforce-training grants to Republic Services. Republic Services and Blue Polymers selected Lauth Group, Inc. for development and construction of the project.  

“We couldn’t be more excited for Republic Services’ and Blue Polymers’ investments in the City of Indianapolis,” said Mayor Joe Hogsett. “The Polymer Center and Blue Polymers complex is a next-generation step for the plastics industry and the circular economy of Indiana. It also shows Republic’s leadership in sustainability and great commitment to the City of Indianapolis, our skilled workforce and the community.”