Our Story
38 YEARS.
6 FACILITIES.
ONE MISSION.
6 FACILITIES.
ONE MISSION.
Founded in 1988 by Alan Shaw, Plastic Recycling, Inc. has grown from a small grinding and shredding operation into the leading U.S. producer of recycled polyolefin and styrenic compounds — vertically integrated, family owned, and operating at scale.
Company History
Built Over 38 Years.
Still Family Owned.
Still Family Owned.
What began as a two-person operation in a 7,000 sq ft facility has grown into the largest single-building plastics recycler in the United States — 6 facilities, ~200 employees, and 200M lbs/year of production capacity. Every step of that growth was intentional, family-driven, and built to last.
← Swipe to explore the timeline →
1988
Where It All Started
Alan Shaw starts PRI with two employees, one grinder, and a 7,000 sq ft facility in Indianapolis. A focused operation — PS regrind only — built on the conviction that recycled plastics had a future.
1990
First Expansion & First FDA Letter
Just two years in, PRI outgrows its first home. Relocated to 12,000 sq ft, added the first extruder to begin pelletizing, and earned PRI's first FDA Letter of No Objection — an early signal of where the company was headed. 8 employees.
1992
Scaling Up Fast
Demand drives another move — this time to 45,000 sq ft. Three grinders, three extruders, and PRI's first sink/float separation line come online. The team triples to 30 employees in four years.
1994
147,000 sq ft — A Real Operation
PRI moves into a 147,000 sq ft facility on S. Pennsylvania St. — a major leap in six years. 60 employees. The foundation for a serious national recycling business is firmly in place.
2000
RTI — A New Business Is Born
PRI's entrepreneurial spirit leads to the launch of Recycling Technologies Inc. (RTI) — a sister company producing extruded cores for the paper industry. Seven dedicated lines from day one. Growth through diversification.
2002
Going National — Tennessee
PRI plants its flag in the Southeast — opening a 35,000 sq ft facility in Jefferson City, TN. Regional production capability established. The single-city operation becomes a multi-state company.
2008
Beyond PS — PP & PE Added
A pivotal strategic decision — PRI adds Polypropylene and Polyethylene to its production portfolio. What started as a PS-only operation begins its evolution into a comprehensive recycled compound producer.
2012
Consolidation & Scale
Purchased 115,000 sq ft on S. State Ave. — consolidating grinding, sink/float, and RTI operations under one roof. 120 employees company-wide. PS, PP, and HDPE all in production. PRI is now a full-spectrum recycler. In 2013 PRI earned its second FDA Letter of No Objection.
2014
Strategic Partnerships & TN Growth
A landmark year — PRI forms a strategic partnership with Dart, adding 280,000 sq ft in Stout Field. Simultaneously expands TN operations with a second 40,000 sq ft building. Capacity surges.
2018
The Flagship — Rockville Road
PRI's defining move — purchasing 7601 Rockville Road. 550,000 sq ft on 67 acres. The largest single-building plastics recycler in the United States. In the same year, PRI expands into South Carolina. The national footprint is set. A third FDA Letter of No Objection follows in 2019.
2020
BBT Recycling — E-Waste & ELV Capability
PRI acquires equipment from a closing plastic e-waste recycler and establishes BBT Recycling at the State Ave. location — launching PRI's dedicated plastic e-waste recycling and ELV recovery center. ABS added to the portfolio for the first time, opening the door to electronics and automotive end markets.
2021
East Coast Presence — Cowpens, SC
Purchased a dedicated 60,000 sq ft facility in Cowpens, SC — strengthening East Coast distribution and adding six shredder/grinder lines. PRI's geographic reach now spans from the Midwest to the Southeast.
2023
PP PCR Wash Line Commissioned
PRI converts its wash line operation from PS to PP PCR curbside bales — a strategic shift that opens the door to high-demand post-consumer PP supply for food-grade and packaging applications.
2024
Automotive Compounding & World-Class Lab
PRI commissions two new compounding lines — one twin-screw and one single-screw — purpose-built to break into the automotive compounds market. Simultaneously opens a state-of-the-art in-house laboratory, one of the most sophisticated plastic recycling labs in the United States. Production capacity grows from 100M to 200M lbs/year. In 2025 PRI earns its fourth FDA Letter of No Objection. A new chapter begins.
Family Owned & Operated
The Shaw Family.
Every Decision.
Since 1988.
Every Decision.
Since 1988.
Founded by Alan Shaw in 1988, PRI has remained family owned and operated through every stage of its growth. The Shaw family brings direct, hands-on leadership across all functions of the business — ensuring that the infrastructure, talent, and processes are in place to meet the demands of the world's most sophisticated manufacturers. Family ownership means long-term thinking, consistent leadership, and an unwavering commitment to quality that no outside investor can replicate.
"At PRI, we don't sell recycled pellets 'as-is.' We deliver engineered material solutions, where variability is managed and absorbed through our processes, not passed downstream to our customers."
Alan Shaw — Owner, PRI
The Shaw Family
Alan · Rhonda · Brandon · Brian · Tyler
PRI's family ownership is more than a cultural distinction — it is a strategic advantage. The Shaw family provides stable, experienced leadership with a vested interest in every customer relationship, every quality decision, and every long-term commitment PRI makes. With the infrastructure, team, and certifications to serve Fortune 500 manufacturers, PRI combines the accountability of family ownership with the operational capability of a world-class industrial recycler.
38+
Years Family Owned
~200
Employees Nationwide
Work With Us
Ready to see what
PRI can do for you?
PRI can do for you?
38 years of operations. 6 facilities. Family owned and operated. Let's build something together.