9.30.2008 - 01:50pm ET

(CSRwire) JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Sept. 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation, in partnership with Advanced Disposal Services, Inc., today celebrated the grand opening of Smurfit-Stone's Jacksonville-South materials recycling facility (MRF). Now with two recycling facilities in Jacksonville, Smurfit-Stone is able to make recycling services more accessible to its customers and help Florida work toward its new statewide goal of 75 percent recycling by the year 2020. Smurfit-Stone is operating Advanced Disposal's materials recycling facility (MRF) in Jacksonville, FL.

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"At Smurfit-Stone, we are focused on the needs of today and tomorrow. That's why we invest in the sustainability of our operations, products and services," said Pat Moore, Smurfit-Stone Chairman and CEO. "The state of Florida and the City of Jacksonville are important partners in what must be an inclusive effort to protect the environment, strengthen our economy and promote sustainability in all of our activities."

To help reach the 75 percent recycling goal established in the 2008 Florida Energy Bill, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection will submit a plan to the Legislature for approval by January 1, 2010.

Smurfit-Stone has a long-standing commitment to recycling. In fact, the company's expertise allowed it to develop one of the world's largest paper reclamation businesses, handling about 6.8 million tons of recovered paper in 2007.

"Recycling is both a business opportunity and an integral part of our commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship," said Mike Oswald, senior vice president of Smurfit-Stone's recycling division. "We all benefit when we recycle. By diverting materials from landfills and conserving landfill space, we avoid wasting valuable materials and conserve our natural resources."

Through the Jacksonville-South facility and others, Smurfit-Stone is expanding recycling capabilities to include plastics, metals and glass. As a result, its recycling operations are recovering more than 7 million tons a year of valuable recyclables.

"Advanced Disposal's business is to ensure a clean and sustainable environment," stated Charlie Appleby, CEO of Advanced Disposal. "Recycling is an integral part of our business strategy to manage and reduce the waste stream through the beneficial reuse of available products. Our partnership with Smurfit-Stone here in Jacksonville as well as other Southeastern markets has proven to be successful through operational efficiencies, commodity marketing, and overall growth. We are proud of the benefits achieved through this recycling partnership both for the environment and for the communities we serve."

To support the community of Jacksonville and Mayor John Peyton's sustainability and beautification efforts, Moore and Appleby announced the two companies were contributing 5,000 seedlings for use by the City in its beautification and sustainability programs. The seedlings were grown at Smurfit-Stone's nursery in Rock Creek, AL, which grows millions of seedlings for reforestation efforts throughout the Southeast. Protecting the health of forests and ecosystems is a key element of Smurfit-Stone's sustainability efforts. Smurfit-Stone promotes sustainable forestry management through its wood procurement operations, business activities, and advocacy efforts.

About Smurfit-Stone
Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation (Nasdaq: SSCC) 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 World Business Council for Sustainable Development, the Sustainable Forestry Initiative(R) and the Chicago Climate Exchange.

Smurfit-Stone generated revenue of $7.4 billion in 2007, 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.

About Advanced Disposal Services, Inc.
Advanced Disposal is a regional environmental services company providing integrated, non-hazardous solid waste collection, transfer, and disposal services in the Southeastern United States. Advanced Disposal currently owns and operates commercial, industrial, and residential solid waste collection operations, municipal solid waste landfills, construction and demolition debris landfills, and transfer stations. Advanced Disposal is dedicated to preserving the environment by developing and operating cutting edge, environmentally safe waste disposal facilities and ensuring that all operations are conducted in a manner that follows local, state and federal laws in regards to environmental protection. Advanced Disposal is headquartered in Jacksonville, FL and has operations in Florida, Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi employing over 1300 staff. The company's website is
http://www.advanceddisposal.com.

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