<p>Material Recovery Facilities</p>

Material Recovery Facilities

Sheltirx™ material recovery facility buildings provide covered space for recyclable material sorting, processing, temporary storage and outbound handling. Designed around your material streams, processing equipment and site requirements, our fabric buildings help create practical working space for recycling operations, from incoming material unloading to recovered product dispatch.

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Building Space for
Material Recovery Operations

A material recovery facility (MRF) separates recyclable materials from incoming waste streams so they can be prepared for reuse or further recycling. Depending on the operation, incoming materials may include paper, cardboard, plastics, metals and glass, received as source-separated recyclables or mixed dry materials.

Each facility has different space requirements depending on what it accepts and how materials are processed. A manual sorting operation will have different layout needs from a mechanized facility using conveyors, screens and separation equipment.

Receiving and unloading

Receiving and unloading
Sorting operations

Sorting operations
Material processing

Material processing
Recovered material storage

Recovered material storage
Residual handling

Residual handling
Loading and dispatch

Loading and dispatch

Plan the Layout
Around Material Flow

An MRF needs a layout that supports the movement of material through each stage of processing. Incoming loads, sorting activities, recovered products and residuals should follow clearly defined routes rather than compete for the same working areas.

Start by mapping the expected material flow, from unloading through sorting, processing, storage and dispatch. Identify where conveyors discharge, where operators need working room and where forklifts or other handling equipment will move materials.

Receiving capacity also needs attention. Incoming material may arrive in uneven volumes, particularly when collection schedules or delivery patterns fluctuate. Allow for temporary accumulation without obstructing processing areas, access routes or emergency exits.

Accommodate Sorting
and Processing Equipment

Material recovery facility buildings must be configured around the equipment used in the sorting process. Depending on the facility, this may include conveyors, sorting platforms, screens, magnetic separators, balers, shredders or other material handling systems.

Equipment dimensions are only one part of the planning process. Consider operating clearances, material feed points, discharge locations, maintenance access and the movement of recovered materials between machines.

Where conveyors connect multiple processing stages, building dimensions and equipment positioning should accommodate the complete line, including transfer points and working areas. Changes in processing capacity or sorting technology can also affect the required footprint.

Create Separate Areas
for Recovered Materials

Recovered materials often need to remain separated after sorting. Paper, cardboard, different plastic grades, metals and other material categories may have distinct storage and handling requirements depending on the facility's output specifications and buyer requirements.

Plan designated storage areas for each material stream, taking into account expected processing volumes, collection frequency and the form in which materials will leave the facility. Baled materials, loose recyclables and containerized products require different handling arrangements.

Adequate storage capacity can help prevent processed material from backing up into sorting areas when outbound collections are delayed. Residual materials also need a planned holding area and removal route.

Address Site Conditions,
Enclosure and Facility Requirements

MRF building requirements extend beyond the covered processing area. Waste handling can involve dust, odors, noise, equipment washdown and potentially contaminated runoff. The required controls depend on the materials received, processing activities, local regulations and facility operating conditions.

Site planning should address drainage, traffic movement, unloading areas, equipment access and the surfaces required for heavy vehicles and machinery. Tipping and processing floors may require engineered concrete or other suitable construction to withstand operational loads and meet containment and drainage requirements.

The level of enclosure should also reflect the operation. A facility may need defined provisions for dust control, ventilation, odor management, weather protection and wastewater collection. These requirements should be established with the facility's engineering and environmental teams before the building configuration is finalized.

Configure a Material Recovery
Facility Building Around Your Operation

Sheltirx™ fabric buildings provide customizable covered space for waste sorting, recycling, material storage and related industrial operations. Our structures use hot-dip galvanized steel frames and can be engineered around project-specific site conditions, applicable building codes, wind and snow loads, foundations and anchoring requirements.

Building dimensions, clearances, access openings and interior arrangements can be developed around your processing equipment and material handling needs. Depending on the selected structure and project requirements, options for expansion or relocation may also be considered.

For facilities planning additional processing space, a new sorting area or covered storage for recovered materials, the building should be specified as part of the wider facility plan.

Explore our waste management and recycling buildings to discuss your project requirements.

Plan Your Material
Recovery Facility Building

Tell us what materials your facility receives, your expected processing volumes, sorting equipment, storage requirements, vehicle access needs and site conditions. Sheltirx™ can help configure a covered building around your material recovery workflow.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a material recovery facility building used for?

It provides covered space for receiving, sorting, processing, storing and dispatching recyclable materials, depending on the facility's operations.

Which materials can an MRF building accommodate?

Facilities may handle paper, cardboard, plastics, metals, glass and other accepted dry recyclable materials. The building and processing systems should be designed around the specific materials received.

Can a fabric building accommodate an automated sorting line?

It may accommodate automated sorting equipment when the building dimensions, structural design, floor provisions, utilities, access and operating clearances are suitable for the selected system.

How should storage areas be planned inside an MRF?

Plan separate areas based on material type, storage volume, handling method, contamination risks and collection schedules. Include designated space for residual materials.

Does an MRF building require full enclosure?

The required enclosure depends on the facility's materials, processes, environmental controls and applicable regulations. The project design should establish whether full enclosure or additional containment measures are necessary.

Can a material recovery facility building be expanded?

Additional space may be possible through an expandable configuration, subject to structural design, site conditions, foundations and applicable approvals.

What information is needed for an MRF building quote?

Provide the proposed building dimensions, location, incoming material types, processing equipment, anticipated throughput, storage requirements, vehicle access needs and any enclosure or environmental-control requirements.