Bottle-Recycling Plant that Would Bring 200 Jobs to the Lehigh Valley in Limbo

SEATTLE (Waste Advantage): A California bottle-recycling company’s plan to open a major processing facility in the Lehigh Valley with up to 200 jobs may have dried up. Nestle Waters North America, which operates bottled-water facilities in Upper Macungie Township, said in November that CarbonLite Industries LLC of Los Angeles would open its third facility nationwide in the “Lehigh Valley area,” with full production set for early 2020. Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corp. officials at the time said the plant would be built at an unspecified site in Lehigh County.

But Matthew Tuerk, LVEDC vice president of economic development and marketing, said CarbonLite officials are “not engaged” with building in Lehigh County. He said CarbonLite continues to look for a facility and has extended its search elsewhere in Pennsylvania. “I’m not sure they have come to a final decision,” said Tuerk, whose agency worked with the company while it was focused on building in the Valley. “I think it is fair to say that they are continuing to search for the right site in Pennsylvania.”

Michael Gerber, a spokesman with the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, said state officials have been in discussions with CarbonLite but nothing has been finalized. CarbonLite Industries has been eyeing Berks County, according to Pamela Shupp, executive vice president of the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance. “I can confirm that they are considering locations in Berks County,” said Shupp, declining to reveal specifics because negotiations are ongoing.

Courtesy: https://www.wasteadvantage.com