The Western Placer Waste Management Authority (WPWMA) recently earned a significant distinction: recycling industry publication Recycling Today has listed them as North America’s largest materials recovery facility by tonnage of waste processed. The WPWMA takes in 395,246 tons of waste through their advanced processing system, with the next facility on the list processing more than 100,000 tons less.
“Two years ago, we were in the top 25, but our $120 million renovation project to overhaul and upgrade our facilities has catapulted us to the top of the list since then,” says Emily Hoffman, public information officer.
The WPWMA’s new state-of-the-art Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) is able to process all waste rather than sending any directly to a landfill.
“For years, it’s been our de facto policy to not send anything to the landfill without sorting and recently, our board of directors solidified that into official policy as our new MRF goes online,” says Hoffman. “Now our new equipment can sort 600 items per minute — more than 20 times what a human can accomplish.”
Located on 1,000 acres just north of Roseville, the WPWMA takes in waste from Roseville, Rocklin, Lincoln and unincorporated western Placer County. The property features composting and landfill operations as well as the 175,000-square-foot MRF. The sorting of waste is now almost entirely automated through robotics, AI-powered machinery and other advanced recycling techniques.
“This will be the next step in a brighter, cleaner future for Placer County.” — Emily Hoffman, Public Information Officer
“No waste that is delivered to our facility goes to the landfill without being sorted first,” confirms Hoffman. “There is such an economic and environmental benefit to sorting the entire waste stream, not just a sliver.”
The WPWMA’s next goal is to greatly increase the amount of recyclable material recovered from the waste stream for more local reuse and recycling. Their advanced equipment enables much greater sorting efficiency and can even identify food scraps for composting.
“Ultimately, our goal is to create a local circular economy, with companies locating on our property that will transform recyclables into new products right here in Placer County,” says Hoffman. “We already have several interested companies. This will be the next step in a brighter, cleaner future for Placer County.”
