Republic Services Inc. is reporting that one out of every 20 pounds of recyclables it processed last year was plastic.
The solid waste management and recycling company is out with its latest sustainability report that includes details about recycling, including the new plastic statistic.
The Phoenix-based firm handled more than 5 million tons of recyclables last year. Republic Services operates more than 60 recycling centers around the country.
The company invested more than $20 million in recycling last year, increasing processing capacity by 170,000 tons. Paper was the most recycled material for the company at 72 percent, followed by both glass and organics at 8 percent each. Plastics checked in next.
Republic Services has a goal of increasing recycling capacity by at least 150,000 tons per year annually by 2018.
The report is available at http://mms.prnasia.com/republicservices/20150313/index.html#23/z