Sims Recycling Solution’s Elkridge facility to close doors in March

ALBANY (Scrap Monster):  Chicago-based Sims Recycling Solutions has decided to close its Elkridge electronics recycling plant by next month. The closure decision is feared to affect nearly 86 workers.

The 93,400-square-feet recycling facility had been handling military scrap for long time. According to Sims President Steve Skurnac, the contract with the US Department of Defense's Defense Logistics Agency has been keeping the plant up and running. However, the Agency has awarded the contract to a different party during the latest bidding process. The loss of contract has led the company management to close the doors of the Elkridge facility.

According to Skurnac, the company had submitted a bid, by keeping in mind the minimum level of profitability that could guarantee attractive return to its shareholders. However, the bidding prices were not acceptable to the Agency, which ultimately resulted in a loss contract. The company noted that it will continue providing service to its local customers by sending the materials to Chicago and Nashville plants for processing. Also, nearly 86 workers who will lose their jobs will be offered all support to relocate to either of Chicago or Nashville locations.

According to Sims press release, volatile recycling markets have exposed the companies to extremely challenging circumstances. Many small to medium-sized recycling facilities across the country are being forced to shut down. The big players who have so far managed to survive are in anticipation of a big turnaround in world economies and commodity market situation. Moreover, state recycling laws tend to hinder the operations of e-recyclers in certain states, it noted.

Sims partners with local, national, and global businesses in the responsible reuse and recycling of end-of-life electronics and computers. It provides environmentally responsible solutions that ensure 100% digital data destruction.