Sims, New York City Open $110 Million MRF

Sims Metal Management and New York City has opened a material recovery facility (MRF) in Brooklyn that will be the primary processing facility for the city’s residential curbside recycling.

The city and the Chicago-based Sims Municipal Recycling division of Sims Metal have invested $110 million in the facility, which has the capacity to process 1,000 tons of metal, glass and plastic recycling as part of a long-term contract between Sims and the New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY), according to a news release.

Also instrumental in development of the Sunset Park MRF, which Sims and the city claim is the largest facility of its kind in the country, were the New York City Economic Development Corp. and the city’s Department of Small Business Services.

The 11-acre facility was made with 99-percent recycled steel and built on an elevation of four feet of recycled glass and crushed stone.

It will use its waterfront location to transport the majority of recyclables by barge.

“This is a perfect example of a public-private partnership that will serve to protect our environment while also creating local jobs and generate revenue for the city,” said Ron Gonen, DSNY deputy commissioner for recycling and sustainability.