Current Role and Responsibilities
Kristen Rinehart holds the position of Vice President and General Manager of Recycling at Advanced Drainage Systems (ADS), a leading manufacturer of stormwater solutions and one of the largest recyclers of plastics in the industry. Based in Hilliard, Ohio, she is responsible for overseeing the company’s recycling operations, including strategic development, operational efficiency, and sustainability initiatives related to recycled materials.
Professional Expertise
Her areas of expertise include plastics injection molding and extrusion, metal stamping, and machining, which underpin her leadership in manufacturing processes linked to recycled plastics. Kristen’s role specifically emphasizes the integration and improvement of recycled content in the production of drainage pipe systems.
Industry and Sustainability Leadership
Kristen is recognized as a notable leader in sustainability within the plastics industry. She has been featured as a Notable Leader in Sustainability by Plastics News in 2023, highlighting her influence and commitment to advancing environmental stewardship through recycled plastics usage at ADS. Under her leadership, ADS has positioned itself as a pioneer in circular economy practices, contributing significantly to environmental impact reduction.
Strategic Initiatives and Company Growth
In January 2025, Kristen publicly announced ADS’s groundbreaking for a $30 million expansion of their world-class recycling facility in Cordele, Georgia, which is expected to enhance the company’s capacity to process more than half a billion pounds of plastic annually. This expansion signals ADS’s robust investment in recycling infrastructure and aligns with Kristen’s vision for scaling sustainable manufacturing operations.
Communications and Thought Leadership
Kristen actively contributes to thought leadership on recycling operations, as evidenced by her authored articles and participation in industry conferences such as the Agricultural Plastics Recycling Conference. She frequently outlines the future trajectory of ADS’s recycling efforts and advocates for increased use of recycled materials within infrastructure applications.
Educational Background and Certifications
Kristen is an alumna of the Rochester Institute of Technology, where she pursued studies related to industrial processes and manufacturing. She holds advanced certifications, including a Six Sigma Master Black Belt (awarded by the Ford Motor Company Six Sigma Academy in 2004) and credentials from the Lean Learning Academy, underscoring her proficiency in process improvement and operational excellence methodologies.
Prior Experience
Before joining ADS in 2022, Kristen served as the Vice President and General Manager of the Injection Molding Division at Wilbert Plastic Services, providing her with extensive leadership experience in plastics manufacturing and management. Her nearly three decades of professional experience span multiple technical areas within the plastics and manufacturing sectors.
Location and Contact Information
Kristen operates out of Hilliard, Ohio, representing ADS’s headquarters. Her professional networking profile is accessible via [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristen-rinehart-5a0a6012).
This profile indicates Kristen Rinehart as a professionally seasoned leader driving ADS’s growth in plastics recycling with a strong focus on sustainability, operational efficiency, and expansion of recycling capabilities. Her expertise in manufacturing processes combined with her strategic leadership in sustainable materials usage positions her as a pivotal figure in ADS’s continued innovation and market leadership within the stormwater solutions and plastics recycling industry.
