Carolina Recycling Association Recognizes Republic General Manager with 2015 Recycler of the Year Award

Republic Services’ general manager, Don Phelps, has been named Recycler of the Year by the Carolina Recycling Association. The Award recognizes an individual in the field who has made significant contributions in the last year to the advancement of integrated solid waste reduction in the Carolinas. The Carolina Recycling Association presented the Award at its 25th Annual Conference in Myrtle Beach, S.C. on Thursday, March 26.

“This is a tremendous honor for Don, and an important recognition for the entire team at our Conover Recycling Center,” said Drew Isenhour, area president of Republic Services. “We began operations at the Conover Recycling Center last summer, and in less than one year, residential recycling participation in the area has increased by more than 70 percent. We are grateful to the community and our customers for their enthusiastic response to increased recycling options. Together, we have made the Conover Recycling Center a source of pride for our community.”

Located in Catawba County, the Republic Services Conover Recycling Center is a highly-advanced All-in-One® recycling facility that serves more than 146,000 homes throughout Alamance, Catawba, Guilford, Montgomery, Richmond, and Stanly counties. The 49,000-square foot Center has the capacity to process more than 400 tons of mixed recyclables per day, or 112,000 tons of materials each year.

Republic’s general manager in Conover, Don Phelps, has 25 years of experience in the recycling and waste industry. The Carolina Recycling Association recognized Mr. Phelps for his efforts to involve governments, civic groups and customers in the design and development of the Conover Recycling Center, ensuring that the Center would meet community needs while protecting the local environment. In his capacity as general manager, Mr. Phelps oversees four hauling locations, three transfer stations, and one landfill, as well as the Company’s largest recycling center in the Carolinas. There are 45 Republic employees at the Center and more than 200 people throughout the area.

Republic Services operates 60 recycling centers nationwide. These centers collected nearly five million tons of recyclables in 2014, and increased processing capacity by 170,000 tons last year. Republic works with more than 150 mills and manufacturers worldwide to turn recycled items into new products.