4G Recycling

4th Generation Recycling (4G) is dedicated to providing our clients the highest level of customer service and maximum recycling revenues.

As one of the nation's premier recyclers, 4G Recycling provides guaranteed on-time service and exceptional value for your recyclables. Our family history in the industry dates back to 1910, and today we are proud to be an international recycling company trading recyclables throughout the world.

Our team of recycling professionals have extensive experience working with numerous industries including printing companies, envelope manufacturers, paper converters, paper mills, folding carton manufacturers, packaging companies, office complexes, distribution centers and plastic generators.

Based on your unique needs, 4th Generation Recycling will design a scrap removal program customized to maximize both your revenues and material handling efficiencies. We pride ourselves on transparency and working with our clients as a strategic partner. Whatever waste removal challenges you face, 4th Generation Recycling is ready to work with your organization to implement world class recycling program.

History

4th Generation Recycling is a family owned business that is led today by Brent and Zack Kirstein. 4G's roots date back to 1910 with Phillip Kirstein who had emigrated from the Ukraine to New York. Like most European immigrants that came through Ellis Island, he was poor and uneducated. However he was also a recycling pioneer who recognized an opportunity in handling others' waste. Working with a Horse and Wagon, Phillip would ply the streets of New York in search of textiles, metals, newspapers and other materials for resale. In 1930, Phillip moved the family to New Haven, Connecticut. and his eldest son Abraham started working in the business. Abe innovated the company by purchasing our first baler and by soliciting cardboard from grocery stores as well as working with the local churches and civic organizations to collect newspapers. In 1940, the business was moved to Norwich, Connecticut to be closer to the papermills.

In 1965, Harold Kirstein (3rd Generation) started working in his father's plant during the summer months. At the time we operated an outdoor facility with a pit baler. After graduating from Boston University, Harold moved back to Connecticut in 1973 and subsequently moved the business to Fitchville CT. He installed one of the first High Density HRB Baler in New England in 1975. Over the next 10 years the business grew to 5 plants throughout the East Coast, including Fitchville CT., Newburg NY, Islip NY Charleston SC, and Raleigh NC. Recognizing the importance of Corporate Security, Harold installed a major shredding operation at IBM's Headquarters in upstate New York. Prior to the days of Information Technology, companies printed all of their correspondence. Due to the confidential nature of their waste, IBM thought it prudent to shred 100% of their paper and we worked with 22 of their sites nationally to provide secure document destruction. In 1998 Harold's son's Brent and Zack started working in the business and learned the business from the ground up. Many days were spent working in the plants baling paper and many nights were spent invoicing transactions. Around this time we shifted our primary focus to servicing the printing industry and the business grew to 15 states and 140,000 tons per year.

In May of 2008, the business merged with Greenstar North America to offer our clients access to new International Markets. Serving in their roles as East Coast Vice President and East Coast Sales Manager, Brent and Zack grew the business to 40 states, Mexico and Canada and 360,000 tons per year.

In January of 2012, Brent and Zack left Greenstar and started 4th Generation Recycling (4G). Today 4G is a growing National company handling in excess of 200,000 tons per year of scrap in 24 states. 4G currently employs 20 employees and maintains offices in Florida, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Virginia, Vermont, Pennsylvania and California.

Throughout all of the Kirstein Generations in the Recycling Industry, our commitment to provide quality service and timely payments has never faltered. We are proud to be innovators in a 'Green' industry where success makes the world a better place.

Paper Converting

4th Generation Recycling has extensive experience working with several of the largest paper convertors in North America. We understand that yours is a volume based business and the fundamental importance of operating winders and sheeters at high speeds.

We understand the unique challenges that your waste broke creates in your operation and that often times your waste revenue can have a double digit impact on your bottom line. Whether you are toll converting for papermills or sheeting for direct sale to the printing industry we understand the volatile nature of your production. That it’s essential for your operation that your recycler is flexible and able to offer just in time service.

We also understand how the nature of paper is changing as mills are starting to make hybrid grades of paper including Thermo Mechanical Pulp (TMP) and Composite Groundwood/Freesheet Blends. We are well versed on mill tolerances and implement waste marketing plans that take into account the evolving nature of paper broke.

4G’s expertise with broke grades such as Hard White, Soft White, SBS, CCNB, TMP, SUS, Pastel Colors and Unbleachables ensures that your company receives the highest possible rebate. We accomplish this by utilizing our global marketing relationships. Some month’s revenues might be higher offering export shipments to India, China or Europe and other months it might net a greater return shipping trailers to domestic mills or intermodal to Mexico.

The 4G program offers our clients flexibility and the ability to make marketing decisions that best suit their operation. By contrast, most of our competitors grow complacent and ship the material to the same market month after month. We push the market every day to get the best overall consistent prices. We strive for excellence and help our customers find reliable homes for their waste without relying on one mill or one broker for pricing.Ask yourself this question- Is your company producing the same product in the same volume for the same customers that you did last year? We assume your business has changed to remain competitive in today’s business environment. Don’t you think your Recycler owes your company the same level of continuous improvement?

 Cashless Equipment Purchase Program

4G understands that paper converters have unique space constraints and that recycling isn’t their primary business. That said, we believe that in this economy every dollar matters and we offer numerous equipment options to maximize revenues. One of 4G’s founding philosophies has always been to work together with our client base as strategic partners. 4G is pleased to offer paper convertors opportunities for new recycling equipment through our Cashless Equipment Program. With this program, paper convertors can acquire production equipment to help grow their business with no out-of -pocket costs. Our team of equipment engineers is well versed on the grades of paper generated and on the importance of separation of grades. We have installed numerous systems that offer diverters, inline choppers, shredders, multi-material balers, auto-tie balers and dust collection systems. Whenever possible we try to automate material handling to streamline a convertor’s production.

Waste Review

At no cost to your firm, 4G will visit a prospective client’s facility to provide a comprehensive waste review. This includes a detailed report which outlines current material handling practices, revenue increasing opportunities and projected scrap revenues. 4G takes into account both current and historical commodity values to develop recycling recommendations that will add to your bottom line.

Distribution Center(s) Waste Purchase Programs

4th Generation Recycling’s Distribution Center “Recycling and Waste Reduction Programs” are unparalleled in the industry. Our programs consist of 5 Phases of implementation to ensure participation and accuracy. Our proven approach and implementation has resulted in significant improvements with respect to revenues, solid waste cost avoidance and environmental sustainability.

Our DC “National Recycling and Waste Reduction Programs” are “Recycling-Led”, meaning 4G strives to help our customers get as close as possible to zero landfill. This is accomplished by removing recyclables out of your solid waste stream, hence lowering solid waste costs and increasing your recycling revenues. We have numerous clients who can attest to the quality and improvements 4G has made over their prior recycling program within the Food Service, Grocery Wholesale and Retail Distribution Centers throughout North America.

Our continuous improvement programs help customers maximize scrap revenues while fulfilling all critical service needs. 4G’s single point of contact will work with your Purchasing and Facilities Staff to ensure your goals are achieved.

A major benefit of our program is that our team of recycling specialists conduct ongoing and spot waste audits. Said audits, will take into account the specific operational needs and material flow for each DC. The goal would be to implement best material handling practices across your organization within a 60 day period from inception. 4G’s national programs will maximize both your revenues and material handling efficiencies. We pride ourselves on transparency and working with our clients as a strategic partner. Whatever waste removal challenges you face, at one DC or multiple DC’s, 4G is ready to work with your organization to implement world class recycling program.

We offer single source vendor capabilities first hand for Distribution Center(s) entire waste stream.

• Cardboard Recycling
• Plastic Film/Stretch-wrap and Rigid Recycling
• Office Paper
• Cornerboard Recycling
• Metal Recycling
• Organic Recycling
• eWaste Recycling
• Light Bulb Recycling
• Solid Waste Management Programs to work in conjunction with 4G’s recycling programs.