International Recycling Group (IRG) finalized the purchase of 25.48 acres of the former Hammermill Paper site, located at 1565 E. Lake Road, and is now officially the home of what will become the country’s largest plastics recycling plant.

“While IRG is transforming the outdated plastic waste collection model to create the first “all-plastics” recycling solution, we are also proud of the transformational milestone at an industrial site on Erie’s eastside abandoned two decades ago,” said Mitch Hecht, Founder and Chairman, IRG. “IRG is ready to go, and we couldn’t be more excited to begin the Recycling Revolution right here in Erie.”

The new plastics recovery facility will accept all forms of post-use plastics, including cups, lids, tubs, single-use plastics, drink containers, and milk cartons from residential and commercial sources.