Across the U.S., new recycling technologies are transforming how we recover valuable materials and helping protect workers in the process. At WM’s Cascade Recycling Center in Washington state, a $40 million upgrade has created one of the most advanced material recovery facilities (MRFs) in the nation. Robots and intelligent optical sorters now handle the bulk of the sorting, dramatically reducing worker injury risk and cutting landfill-bound waste from seven truckloads per day to just one to three.
Using optical sorting systems that fire targeted air jets 16 times per second, the facility identifies materials by light signature. Then, it separates the plastic types, metals, and glass with high precision. This innovation has led to a 10% increase in recovered plastics since 2022. Meanwhile, recyclables like cans, bottles, and cardboard are finding new life as clothing, carpet, construction materials, and packaging, all without ever leaving North America.
Closer to home, Otter Tail County, Minnesota continues to operate a successful community-centered recycling model. With 15 staff and a manually sorted conveyor system, the Fergus Falls Recycling Center processes everything from paper to aluminum. While the facility isn’t yet automated, it produces clean, baled material for regional end markets, proving that recycling still works, even without robotics.
Both facilities face similar challenges: the plague of plastic bags and “wishcycling,” where non-recyclables like electronics and food-soiled containers are mistakenly tossed into bins. These materials jam machines and increase labor and maintenance costs. Education remains critical.
As WM’s Logan Nelson says, “We’re incentivized to recycle as much as possible.” The message is clear: clean, sorted, and bag-free recycling helps ensure materials are recovered efficiently. With rising domestic demand and smart technology driving results, the future of recycling is brighter and more sustainable than ever.
Recycling tip: Always recycle items loose, clean, and cap-on (unless it’s glass). Check your local guidelines to avoid “wishcycling.”
Interested in learning more about how Diamond Scientific supports sustainable innovation? Contact us at info@diamondsci.com
