Georgia short line primed to gain traffic from expanded plastic recycling center 

By Jeff Stagl, Managing Editor 

In late December, the Heart of Georgia Railroad (HOG) marked its silver anniversary. Owned by Genesee & Wyoming Inc. (G&W) since 2017, the short line operates 233 miles of track in Alabama and Georgia. 

A month later, another noteworthy occasion occurred for HOG: Advanced Drainage Systems Inc. (ADS) — a key customer — broke ground Jan. 28 on a $30 million expansion of its plastic recycling facility in Cordele, Georgia.  

When the project is completed next year, the operation will become the stormwater/wastewater management solution provider’s largest recycling facility in Georgia. The project will increase the facility's total size to 117,000 square feet for advanced plastic handling/processing capabilities and create an onsite laboratory for streamlined testing. 

ADS is one of the largest plastic recycling companies in North America. It sources both post-industrial and post-consumer recycled plastics to manufacture stormwater and onsite septic wastewater products.  

The company’s material blending programs help convert recycled plastic into durable products such as pipe and chambers. ADS also supplies engineered drainage pipe for rail applications. 

HOG currently hauls inbound virgin resin and outbound plastic pellets in pressure-differential hoppers for ADS’ existing operation in Cordele. After the expansion is completed, the short line will transport inbound scrap plastic and off-spec plastic pellets to the recycling center, as well as move outbound plastic pellets that will be shipped to manufacturing facilities nationwide for drainage pipe products. 

On Jan. 28, ADS officials marked the construction start for a $30 million recycling center expansion in Cordele. The project is slated for completion in 2026. Advanced Drainage Systems Inc.

The expansion will enable ADS to provide high-quality recycled plastic materials to its seven manufacturing plants in the Southeast region. 

“Cordele is part of a thriving economic region, in an ideal location for us to efficiently manufacture and transport recycled materials to our Southeastern pipe plant network,” said ADS President and CEO Scott Barbour in a press release. “This state-of-the-art facility will leverage ... cutting-edge material capabilities to enhance our recycled plastic production.” 

The Cordele-Crisp County Industrial Development Council, Crisp County Commissioners and Georgia Department of Economic Development helped with the development of the recycling facility expansion. 

HOG has served ADS in Cordele for about a decade. The expansion will generate additional traffic for the short line, but ADS officials aren’t certain what the rail volumes in Cordele eventually will amount to, G&W officials said in an email. 

“So, this can be characterized as ‘reinvigorated business,’” they said. 

In late December 2024, the HOG marked its 25th anniversary. G&W acquired the short line in 2017. Genesee & Wyoming Inc.

HOG won’t need to build or modify any track to accommodate the project. The short line interchanges with CSX in Cordele; Norfolk Southern Railway and Georgia Southwestern Railroad in Americus, Georgia; Georgia Central Railway in Vidalia, Georgia; and Georgia Southern Railway in Midville, Georgia. 

While rail service wasn’t necessarily a huge factor in ADS’ decision to expand in Cordele, HOG will play a significant role in keeping the recycling center humming next year and beyond. 

“The customer knows it can count on HOG to accommodate service plans based upon their volumes and need,” G&W officials said.