Material Recovery Facility (MRF)
A Material Recovery Facility (MRF) is a facility that receives, separates, and prepares recyclable materials for marketing to end-user manufacturers. MRFs are designed to sort and separate different types of materials from a mixed stream of recyclables, such as paper, plastics, metals, and glass.
The MRF uses a combination of manual and automated sorting techniques to separate the recyclables based on their material composition. For example, magnets are used to separate ferrous metals, while eddy currents are used to separate non-ferrous metals. Optical sorters are used to separate different types of plastics based on their resin identification code (RIC).
Once the materials have been sorted, they are baled and sold to manufacturers who use them to make new products. The MRF plays an important role in the recycling process by providing a central location for the efficient and cost-effective sorting of recyclables. By diverting materials from the waste stream and preparing them for recycling, MRFs help to conserve natural resources, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and promote a circular economy.
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