The new investment will give Houston-based Greenstar, a processor of recyclables, a recycling capacity of more than 1 million tonnes a year by the end of 2008. Currently, its single-stream processing capacity is 500 000 tons a year.

´The process (single-stream recycling technology) decreases the cost of collection and increases the convenience of recycling by placing all materials into one bin,´ says Steve Ragiel, Chief Executive Officer of Greenstar North America. 'However, due to the upfront investment required, only 30 percent of all recyclables in the US are currently processed through single stream. Those markets who have converted have seen recycling rates increase dramatically.'

The company plans to add new facilities, upgrade equipment and introduce both residential and commercial single-stream processing to its facilities.