The Materials Recovery Facility--or MRF (rhymes with "smurf")--is where large loads of recyclables are sorted and prepared for market. The MRF is owned by Chittenden Solid Waste District and operated under contract by Casella Waste Management. Although primarily for use by licensed commercial haulers (learn more about hauler licensing here, the MRF also accepts large loads (one cubic yard minimum per trip) from residents and businesses who want to haul recyclables themselves.

All-in-one recycling (also known as single-stream recycling) equipment at the MRF mechanically separates bottles and cans from mixed paper. After the initial sort, workers manually separate the recyclables (except glass) into different material types that are then compacted into bales and shipped to market where they are made into recycled products. Glass is crushed to create aggregate that's available for no charge to anyone who needs it for civil engineering applications.

Tours of the MRF
CSWD offers tours of the MRF by appointment only. Possible times are Monday through Friday at 8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m. and at 12:30 or 1:00 p.m. , year-round. Tours typically last one hour. Your group must have at least 6 and at most 20 people, with a minimum age of seven. Tours are partially indoors and partially outside, take place regardless of the weather, and involve some steps and tight spaces. All participants must wear closed-toe shoes. We provide hardhats and safety glasses, which must be worn at all times.

To schedule a tour for a school group, send an e-mail request to schools@cswd.net or call 802-872-8100 x211. For non-school group tours, e-mail mmorris@cswd.net or call 802-872-8100 x237.

MAP of the MRF Facility
To view a map of the facility, click the link above and a PDF file will open.

VIDEOS of the MRF Facility
You Tube video created by Antioch University student Randy Russell
"Stuck In Vermont" video created by Seven Days newspaper reporter/videographer Eva Sollberger
Video created by Burlington Free Press photographer/videographer Glenn Russell

MRF Fact Sheet
To view a fact sheet on recyclables generated at the MRF click on the link above.