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May 07, 2023

Metro Waste Authority opens MRF in Grimes, Iowa

Metro Waste Authority, an independent government agency with 16 member

Metro Waste Authority, an independent government agency with 16 member communities based in Des Moines, Iowa, has begun operations at its new Metro Recycling Facility in Grimes, Iowa. The 101,100-square-foot facility will service recycling from the agency's Curb It! recycling program by sorting and baling recyclables into their respective material types.

"Metro Waste Authority is committed to providing a sustainable recycling program," says Michael McCoy, executive director of Metro Waste Authority. "Through state-of-the-art equipment, outstanding education and strong partnerships, this new facility will improve recycling and benefit communities throughout the state."

According to a news release from Metro Waste Authority, the material recovery facility (MRF) incorporates systems from San Diego-based CP Group. It features the CP Group Primary Auger Screen and OCC Auger Screen that work together after the infeed conveyor to fractionate material prior to presort, an MSS Fibermax optical sorter, CP Group glass breakers, two MSS Plasticmaxes, CP Lightsout Air Drum Separator to clean glass and a new CPScreen with antiwrapping wobbler discs.

Additionally, the MRF features a 27,600-square-foot enclosed tip floor, which will help to keep inbound material dry.

The system has the ability to process materials at a rate of 25 tons per hour, according to CP Group.

The MRF expects to process about 30,000 tons of single-stream, residential materials based on its contracts. Metro Waste Authority also expects to have 28 employees working at the MRF once it's fully staffed.

McCoy says the MRF includes an education center, which features a multipurpose area, an observation deck above the sorting floor and a hands-on exhibits and activities area for visitors to learn about accepted recyclables.

Metro Waste Authority initially began to plan for the MRF in 2018 after China's National Sword Policy went into effect.

"Our agency has a strong history of solving industry problems with innovative solutions," McCoy adds. "When it became difficult for our processor in Des Moines to recycle the materials our Curb It! Recycling program brought in, we dug deeper to create market partnerships and find a way to keep those materials out of the landfill. We knew that if we wanted to provide a sustainable solution for recycling in the metro going forward, we had to have a hand in the whole process."

Metro Waste Authority plans to host a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the MRF's opening Nov. 17.