Republic Services Inc. has started construction of a new recycling facility that will double residential recycling capacity in southern Nevada.

Republic Silver State Disposal Inc., subsidiary of the Phoenix-based Republic, is building a 110,000-sq.-ft. recycling facility in North Las Vegas next to an existing 88,000-sq.-ft. unit.

The increased capacity will make the Southern Nevada Recycling Complex the largest recycling facility in the United States, Republic said in a news release.

Republic expects to begin operations at the facility in the fall of 2015 and will eventually employ about 180 full-time workers. Construction with project partners Cambridge Construction, The CP Group and EV&A Architects is expected to create 80 new jobs.

When operational, the new facility will have the capability to process about 1,000 tons of mixed recyclables per day, or 70 tons per hour. Republic expects the facility to accommodate future growth in the region.

Recycling technology at the complex will include a highly automated control system and five optical sorters to maximize recovery of all grades of plastics, including aseptic cartons. The facility also will include an interactive learning center.