Creve Coeur, Missouri and Chicago, Illinois, USA, 11 March 2010 -- /PRNewswire/ -- Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation's Recycling division today announced it has partnered with Emerald Waste Services (EWS) to operate EWS's materials recycling facility (MRF) and transfer station in Gainesville, Florida. Smurfit-Stone will pull recyclable materials delivered to the transfer station from the waste stream, thereby reducing the amount of material which goes to the landfill.

"This agreement between Smurfit-Stone and Emerald Waste Services reflects how industry partnerships can help close the gap between the waste that society generates and what is being recovered for recycling and reuse," said Mike Oswald, senior vice president and general manager of Smurfit-Stone's Recycling division. "By partnering with waste industry leaders, government, communities and non-government organizations (NGOs) we are able to provide financial and environmental benefits to both our customers and communities."

As a recycling industry leader, Smurfit-Stone uses innovative partnerships and state-of-the-art technology to provide recycling and waste management solutions to retailers, manufacturers, grocers, printers, communities, and waste haulers.

"Emerald Waste Services is a leader in the solid waste collection and disposal industry in Florida, Alabama, and Mississippi," said Bart Begley, the company's chief executive officer. "Combining the talent and resources of EWS and Smurfit-Stone allows both our companies to better serve our customers by providing an efficient and cost-effective solution to the waste and recycling needs of Gainesville and Alachua County, Florida. It's a great partnership and we look forward to growing it as this project moves forward."

Smurfit-Stone has 30 recycling plants in the United States offering comprehensive recycling and waste solutions, and has sales and procurement offices in North America, Asia and Europe.  Its waste and recycling experts provide recycling and waste solutions to some of the world's largest corporations.

Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation is one of the industry's leading integrated containerboard and corrugated packaging producers, and one of the world's largest paper recyclers. The company is a member of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative® and the Chicago Climate Exchange.  Smurfit-Stone generated revenue of $7.04 billion in 2008; has led the industry in safety every year since 2001; and conducts its business in compliance with the environmental, health, and safety principles of the American Forest & Paper Association.