Back to Top

Tag Archives: MRFs

Reducing recycling service gaps with mini-MRFs

Published: February 1, 2022
Updated:

by
Revolution Recycling is an example of a mini-MRF.

The Closed Loop Local Recycling Fund will help finance facilities that are modular and much smaller than a traditional facility, with a cost between $1 million and $2 million. | Courtesy of Revolution Recycling at Twin, Steamboat Springs, CO

A $35 million investment from PepsiCo Beverages North America will help Closed Loop Partners reach more people living in recycling deserts.

Continue Reading

Posted in News | Tagged , , , |

Houston, MRF operator sign chemical recycling MOU

Published: February 15, 2022
Updated:

by
Aerial view of Houston neighborhood with downtown skyline in distance.

The details of what’s being called the “Houston Recycling Collaboration” have yet to be worked out, but an agreement has set the process in motion to divert residential plastic scrap for chemical recycling. | Roschetzky Photography/Shutterstock

The city of Houston and its MRF operator, FCC Environmental Services, are among the signatories to an agreement to advance chemical recycling for household plastic scrap in the city.

Continue Reading

Posted in News | Tagged , , |

New possible role for MRF robots: hazard detection

Published: February 8, 2022
Updated:

by
AMP Robotics AI view of materials on a sorting facility conveyor belt.

AMP Robotics is training its AI-powered visioning system to identify hazards such as fuel tanks and batteries so MRFs can safely remove them. | Courtesy of AMP Robotics

AMP Robotics is training its AI-powered camera system to identify fuel tanks and batteries on conveyor belts, so the system can alert MRF staff to the hazards.

Continue Reading

Posted in News, Top stories | Tagged , |

How much do bottle bills erode MRF revenues?

Published: February 15, 2022
Updated:

by
Returning a plastic beverage bottle for deposit at a reverse vending machine.

Research compared a variety of deposit systems and recycling rates increased in all scenarios, with the highest rates for an all-beverage deposit of 10 cents. | Rokas Tenys/Shutterstock

This story has been corrected.

Though container deposit systems typically help lift recovery rates for covered materials, the programs also usually reduce tonnages of high-quality PET and aluminum going to sorting facilities. A new study helps to quantify those potential impacts.

Continue Reading

Posted in News, Top stories | Tagged , , |

Rumpke looking to tech future at new MRF

Published: March 1, 2022
Updated:

by
Rendering of Rumpke's facility in Columbus, Ohio.

Set to open in 2024, Rumpke’s 200,000-square-foot MRF will be built on 25 acres the company purchased almost a decade ago. | Courtesy of Rumpke

Rumpke Waste and Recycling’s new $50 million MRF is designed to adapt, with plans for the Columbus, Ohio facility drawn up to take future changes to the recycling stream into account.

Continue Reading

Posted in News, Top stories | Tagged , |

Republic Services moves to vertically integrate in plastics

Published: March 1, 2022
Updated:

by
Plastics processing in Republic's Las Vegas recycling facility.

Plastics being handled at Republic Services’ existing materials recovery facility (MRF) in North Las Vegas, Nev. The company’s Polymer Center will be sited seven miles from the MRF. | Courtesy of Republic Services

North America’s second-largest hauler and recycling processor is constructing a facility in Las Vegas that will produce recycled PET flake and provide a deeper sort of other recovered resins.

Continue Reading

Posted in News, Top stories | Tagged , , |

MRFs report bale prices cooled in late 2021

Published: March 15, 2022
Updated:

by
aluminum bales

A survey of 12 MRFs from seven northeastern states reveals details on the value of recyclables and the cost of collecting and selling those recovered commodities. | Huguette Roe/Shutterstock

The steady, steep year-long runup in recyclables prices came to an end during the fourth quarter of 2021, according to results of a survey of MRFs.

Continue Reading

Posted in News | Tagged , , |