The Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) sorts mixed recyclables from blue bags, apartment blue bins and Community Recycling Depots.
When the mixed recyclables arrive at the MRF, they are moved through a series of sorting machines. These include screens, magnets and optical sorters. They sort items by shape, size, weight and other factors. Some sorting is also done by hand.
The sorted materials are baled and shipped to buyers across Canada and around the world. This includes companies that further refine the materials, and manufacturers that use them to create new products.