Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs)

Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) are specialized plants where recyclable materials are sorted and processed. When you recycle items like paper, cans, and plastics, they are collected and taken to an MRF. There, machines and workers separate the materials by type—such as metals, plastics, and glass—removing contaminants to ensure quality. The sorted materials are then compressed into bales and sold to manufacturers to be turned into new products. MRFs play a crucial role in recycling systems, helping to reduce waste, conserve resources, and minimize environmental impact.