First Star Recycling, Inc

Founded in 1997, First Star Recycling set out to strengthen Nebraska’s recycling infrastructure and make recycling accessible, efficient, and sustainable for communities and businesses across the Midwest. Operations began in Fremont in 1998, and—following rapid growth and new customer partnerships—the company relocated to a larger facility in Omaha in Today, First Star employs more than 110 people across its Omaha and Lincoln recycling operations. Together, these facilities process nearly tons of recyclables each year, serving both commercial and municipal clients throughout the region and marketing materials to end users across the U.S. and internationally. In 2004, First Star Recycling was awarded the contract to process recyclables for the City of Omaha, beginning in 2006. A renewed contract in 2015 extended this partnership through 2020, with options for additional renewals—underscoring the company’s continued commitment to reliability and innovation in recycling services. As Nebraska’s first and largest mechanical Materials Recovery Facility (MRF), First Star leads the way in single-stream recycling and advanced mechanical sorting technology—providing convenient, comprehensive recycling solutions for commercial and residential customers alike. Through its Solutions Plastic Lumber division, First Star extends recycling’s impact by transforming recovered plastics into durable, sustainable products that advance the circular economy. From collection to creation, First Star Recycling continues to turn waste into opportunity—building a cleaner, stronger, and more sustainable Midwest.