The City of Phoenix Public Works Department just rolled out the red carpet for the revamped 27th Ave. Materials Recovery Facility (MRF), a key player in the local recycling game. Fresh off a four-year upgrade, this facility now boasts tech that promises to keep more recyclables out of the landfill and in circulation, according to a Phoenix government news release.
At the ribbon-cutting, Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego hit the start button on the equipment, making it clear that this isn't just about keeping the city clean but also making a buck or two for the community, with her saying, “This beautiful facility will help make sure that we can recycle more of what you put in your blue bin, and that we can make a higher profit from selling those items because they’ll be able to be reused more efficiently.” The facility, which promises to sort your discarded bottles and boxes with greater accuracy, had its inaugural run watched by city officials, residents, and those with a stake in sustainability alike.
Phoenix's Solid Waste Division hauls recyclables from some 420,000 homes, skips the landfill, and beelines straight for either the 27th Ave. or the North Gateway Transfer Station; here, a drum feeder kicks off a high-tech dance separating paper from plastic and aluminum from cardboard, with about 30 tons sorted every hour, Lorizelda Stoeller, Assistant Public Works Director, told the Phoenix government newsroom, adding, “This upgraded machinery significantly increases our recovery compared to the previous system.”
