Republic Services, Inc., one of the leading environmental services companies in the U.S., has announced the construction of a new, advanced recycling center in Bridgeton, Missouri, which will serve the St. Louis metropolitan area. The opening is scheduled for mid-2027.
With an area of over 104,000 square feet, the facility will have the capacity to process up to 45 tons of recyclable waste per hour—equivalent to nine trucks—and will serve nearly three million people. It will be a single-stream facility, capable of handling materials such as paper, cardboard, plastic containers, aluminum and steel cans, and glass.
The center will incorporate cutting-edge technology, including artificial intelligence, optical sorters, and screening systems that will allow for identifying and separating recyclable materials with great precision and speed, reducing contamination and increasing process efficiency.
The investment responds to Republic Services’ commitment to the circular economy, sustainability, and local development. In addition to improving recycling rates, it is expected to create 200 jobs during construction and 60 permanent positions once the center is operational.
Currently, the company has nearly 1,000 employees in the St. Louis area and manages 12 facilities in the region. It also actively supports local organizations through volunteer programs and donations. In the past seven years, its initiatives have benefited more than 360,000 people in St. Louis and over 650,000 across Missouri.
Nationally, Republic Services operates 75 recycling centers in the U.S. and processes around 5 million tons of recyclable materials annually. Its service portfolio also includes solid, special, and hazardous waste management.
