Chinese recycling plant to create 200 new jobs in South Carolina

A Chinese company will build a $75 million recycling plant in South Carolina that is expected to create up to 200 jobs.

The facility, which will be located in the town of Blacksburg in Cherokee County, will collect and process recyclable materials including metal, plastics and electronics. It is expected to begin operations next year.

"We could not be more excited to locate our new recycling operations in Cherokee County, a location that has everything we need for our investment to succeed," Richard Yang, CEO of Green Tech Solution Inc, said in a statement earlier this month when plans for the plant were announced. "None of this would be possible without the assistance of the local and state allies that have supported our new endeavor."

Green Tech Solution is a unit of Tianjin Sheng Xin Non-Financing Guarantee Co Ltd which is an investment company headquartered in Tianjin.

China has been the world's largest importer and recycler of waste plastic, paper and scrap metal. At the beginning of the year, China placed import restrictions on more than 20 types of solid waste from other nations. As China limits the amount of material that can be imported, Chinese companies are looking to the US to ensure ample supplies and to establish recycling operations. 

"Cherokee County welcomes Green Tech Solution, Inc to our community," said Cherokee County Council Chairman Tim Spencer. "Their investment of $75 million and the creation of 200 new jobs will greatly increase the standard of living for many Cherokee County residents."

The South Carolina Coordinating Council for Economic Development has approved job development credits for the project.

Jim Cook, executive director of the Cherokee County Development Board, said the county has had other investments from China.

"Home Fashions Inc expanded their outdoor furniture manufacturing facility located in Gaffney in September of 2017. This was a Chinese Foreign Direct Investment Project. Home Fashions invested $5.8 million in capital expenditures and will create over 70 jobs in the next three years," he said.

Contact the writer at paulwelitzkin@chinadailyusa.com