WM announced completion of the $13 million automation update of its Northwest Regional Material Recovery Facility in Surprise, with production ramping up recently for all customers.

The updated facility at 19401 W. Deer Valley Road delivers a 40% improvement in throughput production with the ability to process 35 tons of material per hour.

A material recovery facilty, known as an MRF, is responsible for sorting and collecing recyclable materials.

“This retrofit moves us away from technology that was 10 years old and to one that utilizes the state-of-the-art equipment that focuses on artificial intelligence and optical sorting technologies,” said WM Four Corners Area Director of Recycling Mark Snedecor. “With the updates, the MRF can better support the processing specifications from municipalities and our other customers bringing us recyclables, and also deliver a higher quality end-product that our mill and manufacturing customers expect in recycled material to make new products.”

This project is part of WM’s previously announced enterprise-wide plans to invest $1 billion in recycling infrastructure through 2025, including automating existing facilities and developing new facilities.

With the demand for recycled content products expected to rise, the investments are expected to enable WM to capture more recycled materials and increase access to recycling for its customers.