Material Recovery Services in Facilities Management (FM) are a crucial aspect of sustainable waste management, extending beyond basic waste collection to focus on maximizing the recovery of valuable resources from a facility's waste streams. At its core, it's about diverting materials from landfills and incinerators by preparing them for reuse, recycling, or other beneficial uses.

These services often revolve around the concept of a Material Recovery Facility (MRF), which can be an internal operation within a very large facility or, more commonly, an external service provided by waste management companies.

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Key Aspects of Material Recovery Services :

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1. Waste Stream Analysis and Auditing:

   • Purpose: To understand the types, quantities, and sources of waste generated within the facility.

   • FM Role: Conduct regular waste audits to identify opportunities for diversion and track progress. This informs the design of effective recovery programs.

2. Source Separation Programs:

   • Purpose: To encourage occupants and staff to separate recyclable materials at the point of generation (e.g., separate bins for paper, plastic, glass, organics).

   • FM Role: Implement clear signage, provide appropriate bins, and educate occupants on proper segregation. This is crucial for "clean MRFs" which receive pre-sorted materials.

3. Collection and Transportation:

   • Purpose: Efficiently collect segregated or commingled recyclable materials from various points within the facility.

   • FM Role: Manage internal collection routes, coordinate with external waste haulers, and ensure materials are transported to the appropriate recovery facility.

4. Material Sorting and Processing (MRF Operations):

   • Purpose: To separate mixed recyclable materials into individual streams (e.g., different types of plastics, paper, metals) and prepare them for market.

   • FM Role (if internal MRF): Oversee the operation of sorting equipment (magnets, eddy currents, optical sorters, screens), manual sorting lines, baling, and compaction.

   • FM Role (if external MRF): Partner with waste management companies that operate MRFs, ensuring they meet the facility's sustainability goals and provide transparent reporting on recovery rates.

5. Quality Control and Contamination Reduction:

   • Purpose: To ensure the sorted materials are of high quality and free from contaminants (non-recyclable items) to make them marketable to end-users.

   • FM Role: Implement rigorous quality checks, provide feedback to occupants on contamination issues, and work with MRF operators to minimize rejected loads.