New York City – Pratt Industries has officially opened two additional facilities at its New York City paper recycling campus, bringing the total investment at the site to a third of a billion dollars and increasing its American workforce to 3500 green collar jobs.   Pratt Chairman and CEO Anthony Pratt was joined at the Staten Island ceremony by New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg and more than 150 guests. The new facilities include a Material Recovery Facility (MRF) where recyclables are sorted and processed, and a corrugated box plant which now converts waste paper collected from the streets of the New York into 100% recycled corrugated boxes on site. See Video here

Pratt Industries executives and New York City officials tour the new facility. From left: Austin Davey, President of Pratt Paper Division, Brian McPheely, Pratt COO, Staten Island Borough James Molinaro, NYC Mayor Mike Bloomberg, Pratt Chairman and CEO Anthony Pratt and NYC Councilman Michael McMahon.

Previously, paper made at the Staten Island mill had to be sent to Pratt plants in other states for conversion.
“This is the jewel in our crown,” said Pratt. “Since we began operations here 11 years ago, this site has recycled over 3.2 million tons of paper, saved almost 55 million trees and prevented 3 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions from entering the atmosphere.”

In a letter to Pratt officials, New York State Governor David A. Paterson praised the company for its environmental leadership: “Since its founding in 1997, the Pratt recycling facility has left an indelible mark on the metropolitan area and has helped New York move forward as a national leader in green practices. As an industry leader, Pratt is an effective example of how green, eco-friendly practices not only encourage a healthier environment but a healthier economy as well.”

Mayor Bloomberg said: “This expansion advances two goals that are essential to our city’s future: Creating new jobs and promoting environmental sustainability, which in today’s economy go hand in hand.
“The recycling that happens here is also a vital part of the city’s Solid Waste Management plan. This plant recycles approximately 1100 tons of waste paper and old corrugated containers every day – preventing the release of 1200 tons of carbons emissions and saving the equivalent of 17,000 trees.”

Pratt also paid tribute to Mayor Bloomberg, calling him “the greenest mayor in the history of New York City.”
“He’s created an environment, so to speak, that facilitates investment in waste recovery, a great 21st Century industry for New York,” he said. “We’re proud to play a part in that recovery, turning waste paper into manufacturing jobs for New Yorkers.”