Ohio MRF operator selects Machinex, Elford Inc. for Columbus Recycling & Resource Center

Cincinnati-headquartered Rumpke Waste & Recycling says it has selected Elford Inc. a Columbus, Ohio-based construction company, and Machinex Technologies Inc., a North Carolina-based provider of recycling equipment, to join Columbus-based architect Moody Nolan in building Rumpke’s $50 million Recycling & Resource Center.

Rumpke announced its plans to build the facility earlier this year. The company says the site will be the fifth-largest recycling facility in North America and will be fully operational in spring of 2024. It is expected to expand the company’s recycling capabilities from 30 tons to 50 tons per hour, recovering plastic, metal, cartons, paper and glass using processing technology that will include 19 optical sorters, a few robots and artificial intelligence, or AI. 

“We take our partnerships very seriously as they have a lasting impact on our business and the community,” says Andrew Rumpke, East Area president for Rumpke Waste & Recycling. “Moody- Nolan, Elford and Machinex are trusted partners that will help us take our Recycling & Resource Center project to the next level. We are planning and building the future of recycling now.”

Locally owned and operated construction company Elford has overseen projects throughout Ohio, including the Linden Community Center, White Castle headquarters and the Franklin County Forensics Center.

“After learning the project scope, we quickly connected with Rumpke’s vision and values,” says Mike Fitzpatrick, president of Elford. “Rumpke’s commitment to the community resonates with our mission, and we look forward to being part of a cutting-edge, technology-driven recycling facility that further promotes sustainability while supporting local neighborhoods.”

In selecting its partners for the Recycling & Resource Center, Rumpke says its objective was to partner with firms that share its vision for best-in-class construction, safety and compliance and recycling innovation combined with core values such as business integrity, a commitment to minority subcontractor participation, collaboration with the neighborhoods near the facility and a steadfast desire to cultivate a positive impact on the community and environment.

“From the beginning, we wanted to make certain we were transparently communicating with those closest to the facility and that we are considering their needs and objectives,” Rumpke says. “When meeting with the leaders and teams from Moody-Nolan, Elford Inc. and Machinex, it was quickly apparent that they each understood our priorities and have a long and proven history of working closely with the surrounding community when developing projects. All these companies believe in Rumpke’s commitment to supplying educational opportunities, career opportunities and jobs for a diverse population.”

During the past two years, Elford has subcontracted with Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), Woman Business Enterprise (WBE), Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), Veteran Business Enterprise (VBE) and other historically underutilized subcontractors and partners for nearly $70 million in business in Ohio alone.

Machinex, with headquarters and manufacturing plants in Plessisville, Quebec, develops sorting, waste management and recycling technology. Machinex previously partnered with Rumpke on its current recycling facility in Columbus as well as on its Cincinnati material recovery facility (MRF).

“Having worked with Rumpke for over 20 years on their facilities in Ohio, we truly share and respect the importance the neighbors hold in their activities, especially in the upbringing of this project,” says Chris Hawn, CEO with Machinex Technologies. “We appreciate Rumpke’s deep commitment to recycling and their continued investment in innovative sorting technology as it aligns with our vision to design solutions for a sustainable tomorrow.”

The 200,000 square-foot Rumpke Recycling & Resource Center will feature high-tech AI sorting capabilities, high-tech jobs and a unique research and development initiative and educational opportunities with The Ohio State University, Rupke Waste says. The recycling facility also will feature green, sustainable design elements, such as solar panels and a living green roof. Additionally, the campus will have a sampling station, offering a quick (within a couple of hours) glimpse of material composition, thereby identifying recycling opportunities and challenges for communities and businesses.

“When conceptualizing building designs, it was clear that Rumpke is really thinking about the future,” says Jonathan Moody, president and CEO of Moody Nolan. “This facility will benefit not only the city of Columbus and the central Ohio region but [also] the entire state. Clearly, Rumpke’s vision will be a nationally recognized model in the industry.”