Plastics converter and recycler ALPLA will open a new facility in Las Vegas next spring, as part of its localized production strategy.
The 13,000-square-meter (140,000-square-foot) site will produce plastic bottles for domestic and global customers. The Las Vegas site will be the second in the western US, after the Salt Lake City facility.
The new extrusion blow-molding facility will bring the company closer to key customers while providing strategic access to major transportation corridors and regional distribution networks, according to a press release. ALPLA emphasizes localized production to provide efficiency as well as reduce emissions caused by long-haul transportation. In keeping with this objective, the company provides a CO2 reduction calculator on its site.
With its proximity to the huge California market and a sweeping EPR law for packaging (SB 54), the Las Vegas area has attracted other investment. In addition, Nevada and Arizona have lower tax structures, less expensive real estate and cheaper utilities.
About 3 miles from the new ALPLA plant is Republic Services’ Polymer Center, which itself is about 300 miles from Blue Polymers (a joint venture between Republic and distributor Ravago) in Buckeye, Arizona.
“This investment represents an important step in ALPLA’s long-term North American growth strategy,” says Tasos Pourloukakis, regional managing director of ALPLA North America. “Our North Las Vegas operation will strengthen our ability to serve customers while giving us the capacity and flexibility to adapt as their needs and the market evolve.”
In addition to its West Coast operations, ALPLA has 17 other facilities in Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and Wisconsin.
Alberta expands recycling system
Phase 2 of Alberta extended producer responsibility (EPR) program for packaging began Oct. 1, with an expanded list of accepted materials and increased access to curbside recycling services.
The Canadian province implemented its EPR plan in April 2025, managed by producer responsibility organization (PRO) Circular Materials.
Jennifer Koole, executive director of the Recycling Council of Alberta (RCA), said: “We commend the Government of Alberta for creating the regulation back in 2022 that has led to the implementation of EPR in the province today. EPR provides an opportunity for producers to work upstream to design better products and packaging, support reuse, and use less material. It’s about recycling more today while building a system that creates less waste tomorrow.”
Koole acknowledged the contributions of stakeholders working to implement the program in a relatively short time line. “This includes the Alberta Recycling Management Authority and Circular Materials among the municipalities and service providers that have been negotiating contracts, building infrastructure and putting boots on the ground over the past four years.”
Meant to increase consistency in what Albertans can recycle, the expanded material list now includes:
- Glass containers, where they were not previously accepted
- Foam packaging
- Flexible plastic packaging
- Aerosol containers
- Laminated paper and plastic packaging
The second phase also will expand access to curbside recycling, with some communities receiving services for the first time, as well as multi-family dwellings.
Circular Materials said the expansion will provide:
- Recycling services to approximately 97% of Albertans
- Access to recycling for approximately 1.4 million households
- Services across 287 communities
- 206 curbside programs, including 119 new communities receiving curbside recycling, of which 104 will receive recycling services for the first time
- Recycling services for 1,858 registered apartment and condominium buildings
- Approximately 500 depot locations across Alberta
The expansion will help reduce barriers to recycling and provide more residents with convenient opportunities to divert valuable materials from disposal, the press release said.
