Interview with Harold Kirstein, President Greenstar-Kensington

In 1910, Harold Kirstein’s great-grandfather was a “rag man” or “trash man” who used to pick up newspapers, glass bottles, rags and other usable trash. Over the last century, handling of recyclables has changed from a horse and wagon business to multi-million dollar automated processing business. Kirstein’s great-grandfather’s business evolved into American Recycling and the company became part of Greenstar in 2008. 

Greenstar, America’s fastest growing recycler, is headquartered in Texas. The company currently processes 2 million tons of recovered paper, plastic, glass and metals a year through 16 material recovery facilities.

GMC: When we think of a "green" company, the first thing that comes to mind is recycling; particularly recycling of paper products, glass, and plastics. We don’t often take a closer look at the company doing the recycling. In the early 1900s, cities began to provide regular collection of trash; how has the business changed over the last 100 years?

Kirstein: I’ve been in this business for over 40 years. Things stayed pretty much the same from 1910 until the late 60s and early 70s. Automated process machinery such as high-density balers brought about dynamic changes.

Of late, the biggest changes are geared more towards “single stream” recycling and larger capacity balers for other recyclables. In the past, a state of the art baler could process five tons of material an hour. Now 30 to 40 tons an hour is the norm. As a result there is a big increase in capital costs. Machines used to cost $100,000, now they cost millions. 

GMC: People might assume that a recycling company is green because - after all - you’re recycling.  How are you expressing your environmental commitment? What are you doing within your plant to make your operation green? 

stein:  You’re right, people assume that you’re green, and in our case, we are. We are proud that Greenstar was recognized in 2009 as a Climate Leader by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 

Recycling is one of the best ways to decrease greenhouse gases and preserve our natural resources.  Based on EPA estimates, by recycling 2 million tons each year, Greenstar is reducing emissions by approximately 6 million Metric Tons of Carbon Dioxide Equivalent (MTCO2E). That’s equivalent to:
• Removing 1.3 million cars from the nation’s roads
• Eliminating the energy use of 182,000 households
• Saving 6 million barrels of oil, 275 million gallons of gasoline
• Preserving 4 million cubic yards of landfill space 

In addition to the carbon reductions achieved by recycling activities specifically, Greenstar made a voluntary commitment to the EPA to reduce its own carbon emissions by 10% over the next five years.    

For example, when it comes to our office environment, we have our own recycling programs and most of us take pride in recycling at home as well.  In our plants, the new equipment and new technologies use much less energy, so that also contributes to a positive green scenario. 

And, we work closely with the direct mail industry to produce mail pieces that can be easily and more efficiently recycled.

GMC: In some cities, residents separate out various recycling streams such as glass, plastic, and paper, while in others everything goes onto one bin. What is the impetus behind single stream processing? Intuitively it seems more expensive.