KC Recycling announces plastic recycling expansion with $1.2M boost

Advancing sustainable solutions with new investments in plastic waste management

KC Recycling’s 75-person team will grow with three new hires, necessary to operate the expanded polypropylene plant. — Photo courtesy KC Recycling

KC Recycling, the Pacific Northwest’s leading producer of recycled battery plastic and metal, isexpanding its polypropylene plant with the support of $1.2 million from the CleanBC Plastics Action Fund. KC Recycling will use the investment in part to increase their ability to accept additional plastics, increasing the volume of high-quality plastic resin they produce by 1,000 metric tons annually.

KC Recycling is expanding its Polypropylene Extruding Operation, which recycles and pelletizes plastic from batteries into high-quality plastic resin shipped to manufacturers across North America to produce battery cases, paint buckets, plastic liners, and more. - Photo courtesy KC Recycling

The $2 million project will also streamline operations, including bulk material handling processes, and implement a contamination reduction system that will result in their plastic meeting the most stringent quality standards, according to Pete Stamper, KC Recycling CEO.

“This project will ensure our recycled plastic can be used as the resin for many, many more products, as resin quality can limit the applications for certain industrial products,” he says. “Plus, improving and expanding
plastic recycling isn’t just good for the environment — it’s a critical investment in our economy.”

Lead batteries remain the most recycled consumer product in North America with over 99% of the lead recovered and recycled. KC Recycling recycles plastic from spent lead batteries and then closes the loop by supplying that recycled plastic resin to manufacturers across North America to produce battery cases, paint buckets, plastic liners, and more.

- Photo courtesy KC Recycling

After this project is complete, the company will utilize a new bulk material handling system, which enables it to serve suppliers and customers with bulk shipments via rail or truck. Notably, this system will open the door to accepting plastic feedstock from other battery recyclers that do not have the ability to produce resin. KC’s 75-person team is part of the Western Canada Battery Hub, a unique network of battery recyclers in the South Kootenay region of BC.

They’re working closely with Metal Tech Alley, international leaders in the industrial circular economy movement, who recently released a Battery Hub Feasibility Study and announced a partnership with UBC to set up a battery research and development facility.

“KC Recycling plays a key role in the success of Metal Tech Alley establishing this region as a battery hub for Western Canada,” says Metal Tech Alley Director Jacomien van Tonder. “KC Recycling will be a part of the R&D facility on the plastics side. That is where this funding will be of great importance.”

About the partners:

KC Recycling is the largest lead battery recycler in Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest of the United States. The company employs about 70 people in advanced circular economy jobs in Trail, BC.

Metal Tech Alley is a collection of professionals and entrepreneurs spanning multiple industries working together to adopt best practices and lead in the global industrial circular economy movement.

CleanBC Plastics Action Fund supports innovative projects that prevent and reduce plastic waste in B.C. First launched in 2020, the fund has invested almost $40 million into projects that address the pressing issue of
plastic waste.