Single Stream Recycling Materials Recovery Facility (MRF)

About the Program

Category: County Resiliency (Best in Category)

Year: 2014

In 2011, Baltimore County (the County) decided to build its own single stream recycling materials recovery facility (MRF). By sorting and marketing the materials itself, the County would be able to retain the value of its recyclables and maximize the financial benefits of its single stream recycling program. Before switching to a single stream recycling program, Baltimore County had owned a dual stream sorting operation in Cockeysville, Maryland. To maximize cost-effectiveness, the County wanted to house the new single stream equipment within the existing dual stream building. Design and groundwork planning for the project began in July 2012, and installation of the single stream sorting equipment began in June 2013. The grand opening of the County’s new MRF occurred on November 19, 2013. In just its first four months of operation (November 2013 through February 2014), the facility has generated net operating revenues of nearly $750,000. At this pace, and depending on market conditions, the County could achieve net operating revenues of $2 million or more in the MRF’s first year of operation. In August 2013, Baltimore County also signed an agreement with neighboring Harford County, in which Baltimore County accepts Harford County’s recyclables for sorting and Baltimore County obtains the full value of these recyclables. Per the agreement, Baltimore County began accepting Harford County’s recyclables in January 2014. A 4.5-minute video about the County’s new MRF is available online at www.baltimorecountymd.gov/Agencies/publicworks/recycling/countymrf.html.