Rumpke to build recycling center in Columbus, Ohio

Cincinnati-based Rumpke Waste & Recycling has announced plans to construct a $50 million recycling facility in Columbus, Ohio. Called the Rumpke Resource Recycling Center, the facility is expected to open in 2024, said Andrew Rumpke, area president of Rumpke.

The material recovery facility (MRF) is expected to expand the company’s recycling capabilities from 30 tons to 50 tons an hour. The MRF will recover various forms of scrap, such as plastic, metal, cartons, paper and glass. The MRF will use ballistic separators, optical sorters and artificial intelligence to sort secondary materials as well. However, it’s unclear which companies will supply the equipment at this time.

“[This facility] will be the most technologically advanced, state-of-the-art recycling center in the United States,” Rumpke said during a press conference Feb. 8 at Rumpke’s current recycling facility on E. 5th Ave. in the Milo-Grogan neighborhood of Columbus.

The facility will be 200,000 square feet and include a research and development center in collaboration with The Ohio State University Sustainability Institute, a career and training center and a creative education center in partnership with the COSI Science Center. 

Rumpke also is donating $100,000 to Ohio State to fund scholarships and plans to collaborate with the university to educate students on waste recycling technology at the new facility. The career and education facility will assist Ohio State students in finding careers in the waste and recycling industry after graduation.

“The Rumpke Recycling Resource Center will ensure recycling capacity to serve the long-term needs as the region grows to over 3 million in population throughout the next 20 years,” Rumpke said. “Our new recycling facility is strategically designed to meet the needs of Columbus and Franklin County, residents, local governments as well as the demands of the commercial and industrial business growth in central Ohio.”

When Rumpke opens its expansion in 2024, the company says it will continue many of its operations at its existing facility in Columbus, including its clean energy fueling station, transfer station, hauling and maintenance operations. The company’s area offices also will remain at the current facility, Rumpke says.