Professional Role and Experience
John Sasine is the former President and CEO of Rocky Mountain Recycling (RMR), a regional material recovery facility (MRF) operator based in Utah, where he served for approximately 20 years and 10 months (October 1999 – July 2020). During his tenure, he oversaw operations at multiple recycling centers, including four MRFs under Rocky Mountain Recycling’s umbrella. His leadership extended to managing the logistics and fiber brokerage activities essential to recycling operations throughout Utah and neighboring regions.
After leaving Rocky Mountain Recycling, John transitioned to the role of President and CEO at Crossroads Paper, a company co-founded with his brother Ron Sasine and focused on recycled paper production. The company, headquartered in South Jordan, Utah, is leading a major industrial project to build a containerboard mill initially proposed for Salt Lake Valley and now relocated near Winnemucca, Nevada.
Key Industry Insights and Achievements
John Sasine’s expertise lies in recycling operations and the paper production value chain, with a specific focus on optimizing supply chain logistics for recycled fiber materials such as old corrugated containers (OCC) and old newspapers (ONP).
- As CEO of Crossroads Paper, John is spearheading a $450 million recycled containerboard mill project set to process 350,000 tons of mixed paper and OCC annually. The mill is designed to serve western U.S. markets more effectively by strategically positioning closer to major box manufacturers, particularly in California, thus reducing transportation distances.
- John has publicly emphasized the impact of freight costs and geography on the recycling industry, noting how long-haul transport of fiber previously diminished program economics. His experience supervising fiber movements—from sourcing regions as broad as southern Utah up to Boise, Idaho, and northern Nevada—reflects his deep understanding of regional supply chain dynamics.
- He has highlighted logistical advantages of the new mill location near Interstate 80 with existing rail access, reducing infrastructure development costs and facilitating fiber inbound logistics, which is critical for industrial efficiency and customer proximity.
- John and his team collaborated with Valmet, a leading paper machinery supplier, and Yates Construction for equipment installation, underscoring a strong network within industrial manufacturing and construction sectors.
Education and Background
- John Sasine holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Brigham Young University.
- Originally from Southern California, he relocated to Utah where he established and grew Rocky Mountain Recycling.
- His early career included positions at Waste Management in Southern California, where he gained foundational experience in recycling processes and materials management.
Company and Project Context
During John’s leadership:
- Rocky Mountain Recycling faced operational challenges reflected in public reports, including rate fluctuations that impacted municipal recycling programs in Utah and Arizona.
- John managed the company’s evolving materials recovery processes, adopting technology and systems improvements such as custom-sorting equipment to enhance throughput and quality.
- His departure from Rocky Mountain Recycling in 2020 coincided with his full-time leadership focus on Crossroads Paper.
Crossroads Paper’s mill project timeline targets operational status by the end of 2026, reflecting a 30-month construction period. The project benefits from proactive engagement with local government and economic development agencies for tax abatements and water resource management, given Nevada’s environmental considerations.
Professional Network and Industry Positioning
- John collaborates closely with his brother Ron Sasine, an experienced packaging industry veteran with a decade as head of packaging at Walmart.
- His leadership reflects a unique vertical integration approach, moving from fiber collection and brokerage (MRF operations at Rocky Mountain Recycling) to paper manufacturing (Crossroads Paper), representing a strategic advancement in supply chain control.
Relevant Metrics and Operational Data
- Rocky Mountain Recycling operated four MRF facilities under John’s leadership.
- Crossroads Paper’s forthcoming mill in Nevada envisions processing 350,000 tons per year of recycled fiber, significantly impacting regional fiber flows.
- Initial project cost estimates rose from $320 million (2019) to $450 million (2024), indicating scaled scope and inflationary pressures.
- Site selection factors prioritized proximity to customers (box manufacturers) over raw material location, signaling a demand-driven logistics model.
This profile integrates John Sasine’s extensive operational leadership at Rocky Mountain Recycling with his current executive role driving a large-scale recycled paper mill project, reflecting expertise in recycling supply chains, industrial development, and strategic logistics in the paper recycling sector.
