Materials Recovery Facility (MRF)

MRF Processing Principle

How does the Materials Recovery Facility work?

1. Receiving and Sorting: Waste materials are delivered to the MRF, where they are unloaded and sorted to remove large items and contaminants that are not suitable for recycling.
2. Pre-Sorting: Manual or mechanical pre-sorting is often conducted to remove bulky items, such as furniture or appliances, and hazardous materials that could damage equipment or pose safety risks.
3. Primary Sorting: The remaining waste stream enters a sorting area where various mechanical equipment, such as conveyor belts, screens, and air classifiers, are used to separate materials based on size, shape, and density. This step helps to segregate materials like cardboard, paper, plastics, metals, and glass.
4. Secondary Sorting: After primary sorting, further separation may occur through manual or automated processes. This can include optical sorting systems that use sensors and air jets to identify and separate different types of plastics or other materials.
5. Processing and Baling: Once sorted, the recyclable materials are processed into bales or other compact forms for transportation to recycling facilities. This often involves shredding, compacting, or crushing materials to reduce their size and increase efficiency in handling and transportation.
6. Residue Management: Any remaining non-recyclable materials, known as residue or residuals, are typically separated and disposed of in landfill or sent for further treatment, such as waste-to-energy processes.
7. Quality Control: Throughout the process, quality control measures are implemented to ensure the purity and quality of the recovered materials, as contamination can reduce the value and effectiveness of recycling efforts.