SANFORD, N.C. — Liberty Tire Recycling L.L.C. is opening a processing plant in Sanford to produce recycled rubberized mulch, which is sold at 15,000 retail locations throughout North America and can be used on playgrounds and for landscaping.
The new facility is expected to create 30 jobs in Sanford, a city of about 30,000 residents located roughly 45 miles southwest of Raleigh-Durham, N.C.
Pittsburgh-based Liberty already operates 21 processing plants in the U.S. and Canada for various products it makes, including mulch, which it sells under the brand name GroundSmart.
"Our new rubber mulch facility in Sanford is in direct response to consumer acceptance of rubber mulch as a sustainable alternative to wood mulch," Amy Brackin, Liberty's newly appointed vice president of sustainability, said.
"Our North American retail partners recognize and appreciate our sustainability story and how it positively impacts their value chain."
In her role, Brackin will help to develop and execute Liberty's comprehensive environmental, social and governance strategy. It's a plan in which the new Sanford facility will play a key role.
"Liberty is excited to make positive economic and environmental impacts in the region," Liberty CEO Thomas Womble said. "A new Liberty facility means fewer scrap tires in the waste stream and more jobs for hardworking North Carolinians."
Liberty was acquired in April 2021 by Energy Capital Partners (ECP), a Summit, N.J.-based equity firm.