Fort Worth’s new recycling center is now open, designed to process 144,000 tons of waste per year with advanced technology. The $62.5 million facility is the city’s first automated waste processing center and aims to reduce landfill waste by promoting sustainable practices.
The city council has been working to address growing waste needs as Fort Worth’s population reaches 1 million residents. The recycling center uses state-of-the-art machinery, including optical sorters, ballistic separators, eddy currents, and magnets for metals, to separate materials like plastics, paper, cardboard, aluminum, and steel.
The facility is part of a larger $1.4 billion investment by the city’s contractor, WM, to upgrade technology across North America. This new center supports Fort Worth’s economy by creating elevated positions with advanced pay, allowing employees to upskill their workforce.
As the facility is now operational, residents can expect more recycling efforts in Fort Worth soon. The Environmental Services Department plans to bring an update to city leaders by spring, outlining new strategies to relieve the city’s landfill and growing waste needs. These strategies include exploring potential landfills expansion, implementing modern technology, considering additional waste transfer stations, and fostering partnerships with local governments.
The recycling center is equipped to handle 40 tons of waste per hour, reducing the strain on Fort Worth’s only landfill and saving residents $12 per ton in processing costs compared to sending waste to the landfill. The facility is a crucial step towards enabling a more sustainable future for the city.
Source: https://fortworthreport.org/2025/10/28/new-recycling-center-brings-technology-aimed-at-minimizing-strain-on-fort-worths-landfill