Creve Coeur, Missouri, and Chicago, Illinois, USA, 27 July 2009 -- /PRNewswire/ -- Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation today announced a new partnership between its Recycling division and Advanced Disposal Services in Cobb County, Georgia. Through this joint venture, Smurfit-Stone will convert Cobb County's composting facility in Marietta, Georgia, for use as a materials recycling facility (MRF). Advanced Disposal will manage the adjacent waste transfer station. 

"Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation and Advanced Disposal Services are uniquely qualified to help Cobb County meet its budgetary, recycling, and waste management goals," said Sam Olens, chairman of the Cobb County Board of Commissioners. "This is an important step in the county's green initiative and we are excited to have formed a partnership that will meet the needs of our residents and commercial waste haulers." 

Smurfit-Stone is retrofitting sort line equipment in the 200,000 square-foot composting facility to provide residential and commercial recycling services. Smurfit-Stone also operates Advanced Disposal's MRFs in Jacksonville, Florida, and Atlanta, Georgia.

"Recycling is a fundamental aspect of our business and an integral part of our commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship," said Mike Oswald, senior vice president and general manager of Smurfit-Stone's Recycling division. "Our recycling and waste management solutions and innovative partnerships help communities, businesses and waste haulers recover valuable materials from the waste stream, turning what was previously an expense into a source of revenue." 

Advanced Disposal's partnership with Smurfit-Stone in Cobb County and elsewhere allows both companies to excel at what they do best, said Mary O'Brien, Chief Marketing Officer for Advanced Disposal. "By combining talents, we are able to offer a unique and fiscally sound solution to Cobb County's waste and recycling needs," O'Brien said. "Our joint venture will allow the County to save money while increasing the recycling opportunities for residents and businesses." 

With 29 plants in the United States offering comprehensive recycling and waste solutions, Smurfit-Stone is investing in automated sort systems and focusing on strategic partnerships with cities and waste haulers to dig deeper into the waste stream. Smurfit-Stone also has invested in production tracking equipment to improve customer service and efficiency by identifying and reducing the causes of downtime on its sort lines and balers. 

Smurfit-Stone collected approximately 6.6 million tons of recyclables in 2008. In addition to benefiting communities and business partners, Smurfit-Stone's recycling operations also provide a secure source of fiber for its mill system. 

About Smurfit-Stone

Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation is one of the industry's leading integrated containerboard and corrugated packaging producers, and one of the world's largest paper recyclers. The company is a member of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative and the Chicago Climate Exchange. Smurfit-Stone generated revenue of USD 7.04 billion in 2008, has led the industry in safety every year since 2001, and conducts its business in compliance with the environmental, health, and safety principles of the American Forest & Paper Association. 

About Advanced Disposal Services, Inc.

Advanced Disposal is a regional environmental services company providing integrated, nonhazardous solid waste collection, transfer, recycling, and disposal services in the southeastern United States. Advanced Disposal currently owns and operates commercial, industrial, and residential solid waste collection operations, municipal solid waste landfills, construction and demolition debris landfills, and transfer stations. Advanced Disposal is dedicated to preserving the environment by developing and operating cutting edge, environmentally safe waste disposal facilities and ensuring that all operations are conducted in a manner that follows local, state, and federal laws in regards to environmental protection. Advanced Disposal is headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, and has operations in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi employing more than 1300 staff members. The company's Web site is www.advanceddisposal.com.