$1.2 million grant helps KC Recycling accept more types of plastics, increase plastic resin production

KC Recycling is expanding its polypropylene plant with the support of $1.2 million from the CleanBC Plastics Action Fund. The company, a producer of recycled battery plastic and metal for the Pacific Northwest, will use the investment, in part, to increase its ability to accept additional plastics, increasing the volume of high-quality plastic resin it produces by 1,000 metric tons annually. 

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, says 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."

Closing the recycling loop for lead batteries and more

Lead batteries remain the most recycled consumer product in North America with over 99 percent 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. 

After this upgrade is complete, the company will use a new bulk material handling system, which will enable it to serve suppliers and customers with bulk shipments via rail or truck. This system will allow KC to accept plastic feedstock from other battery recyclers that do not have the ability to produce resin.

A regional network of battery recyclers working together

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, a company working to make environmental protection profitable through the industrial circular economy, that 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."