Rumpke Waste & Recycling, has selected Elford, Inc. a Columbus-based, award-winning construction company and Machinex Technologies to join Columbus-based and nationally-recognized Architect Moody Nolan in building Rumpke’s $50 million Recycling & Resource Center on Joyce Avenue. Rumpke’s facility will be fully operational in Spring 2024, and it will be the fifth largest recycling facility in North America. “We take our partnerships very seriously as they have a lasting impact on our business and the community,” said 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, Inc. was founded in 1910 by the Elford family. Today, the company oversees projects throughout Ohio and is responsible for building the Linden Community Center, The White Castle Headquarters and the Franklin County Forensics Center to name just a few of its impactful projects. “After learning the project scope, we quickly connected with Rumpke’s vision and values,” said Mike Fitzpatrick, President, Elford Inc. “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.”
When selecting its first partners for the Recycling & Resource Center, Rumpke said the company’s 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 said. “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, in Ohio alone, 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. Machinex is a world leader in the recycling and waste industry, developing cutting-edge sorting, waste management and recycling technology. Machinex has previously partnered with Rumpke on Rumpke’s current recycling facilities in Columbus, Ohio and in Cincinnati. “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,” said 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.”
Rumpke announced the creation of its new $50 million Recycling & Resource Center to be built in Columbus on Joyce Avenue on February 8, 2022. Ohio Lt. Governor Jon Husted, Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther, Columbus Council President Shannon Hardin, Columbus Councilmember Emmanuel Remy, Franklin County Commission President Erica Crawley, as well as The Ohio State University, COSI and community, business and neighborhood leaders participated in the announcement. Rumpke also created a community advisory committee with representatives from American Addition neighborhood, the Milo-Grogan Area Commission and the North Central Area Commission.
The 200,000 square-foot Rumpke Recycling & Resource Center will be the 5th largest and most technologically advance recycling facility in North America. The new facility 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. 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,” said Jonathan Moody, President & CEO of Moody Nolan. “This facility will benefit not only the City of Columbus and the central Ohio region, but the entire state. Clearly, Rumpke’s vision will be a nationally recognized model in the industry.” Rumpke will support the local community through opportunities that directly benefit the residents, such as the Rumpke Family scholarships for students of families in the area. Rumpke is also partnering with COSi (the Center of Science & Industry) to ensure STEM learning opportunities for all ages, education outreach, facility tours and learning exhibits.