ACI Plastics unwraps new Michigan film recycling plant

ACI Plastics Inc. is taking the wrappings off the company's new $10 million plastic film recycling plant, a project that will create 25-30 new jobs in Michigan.

The Flint, Mich.-based company is opening a second facility in its hometown, with operations expected to ramp up to full capacity later this year.

"This dream we're seeing here today started 10 years ago," ACI President Scott Melton said. That's when a contingency of company officials traveled to Europe to examine recycling technology over a 10-day stretch.

"We literally designed the wash line on the back of a napkin. By the time we were done, it was on a piece of paper. And it's now what you see behind us that [equipment maker] Lindner put into place," he said during a Feb. 6 news conference broadcast on Facebook.

Local and state officials at the news conference talked about the economic and environmental impact of the new facility.

ACI's new location initially will have the capacity to handle 24 million pounds of plastic film each year, and there is enough room to add equipment to double that capacity, Melton said.

"Investments like these are not only good for the environment, they are good for people. They are good for the people of Flint. By growing recycling opportunities like this, we are creating jobs and building a stronger community. Equitable access to recycling opportunities is key to Michigan's success in becoming a leader in recycling. Flint should enjoy the same high-quality and advanced services as other parts of the state," said Regina Strong, environmental justice public advocate for the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy.

ACI recycles used plastic film from a variety of sources, Melton said.

"The material we buy come from a lot of different places, [grocery store chain] Meijer being one of those, Amazon, Walmart. Those are the places that are collecting this scrap, baling it up and we take it from them. The material that we make here will go back into bags, the original application, which is the highest and best use for it," Melton said.

A potential landing spot for the recycled plastic could be Petoskey Plastics in northern Michigan, which uses recycled content to make new plastic bags and film. Melton also mentioned Cascade Engineering of Grand Rapids, Mich., as a potential outlet. Cascade makes rigid products including trash and recycling carts.

The new jobs at ACI will pay between $15 and $25 an hour, and Flint residents will have priority in the application process.

"We like going to sleep every night knowing that we are not only doing something to help the environment by recycling millions of pounds of scrap plastics, but we are also providing a good living for many employees while enjoying a successful business," Melton said.

Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley indicated his city was selected for the new recycling plant over a location in Ohio that also was under consideration.

"This project has been a long time in the making," he said. "This is a great day in the city of Flint."

The project received a $300,000 state grant to help with infrastructure and a $150,000 state grant for employee hiring.