Facility details
- Address
- 1440 Port of Tacoma R
Tacoma, WA 98421 - Google reviews
- See visitor reviews on Google
- Facility type
- MRF
- Operator
- WM (Waste Management)
- County
- Pierce County
- EPA Region
- 10
- Data sources
- EPA
- Last verified
- 2026-10-15
About this facility
A materials recovery facility, or MRF, is the plant where mixed curbside recycling is sorted. Collection trucks tip commingled material on the floor, and a line of screens, magnets, eddy-current separators, optical sorters and hand-picking stations separates it into bales of cardboard, paper, plastics by resin, aluminum and steel for sale to end markets. MRFs mainly serve haulers and municipal programs rather than walk-in customers, although some operate a public drop-off area. Contamination such as bagged recyclables, food waste and hoses slows the line and lowers bale value. Hours, fees and accepted materials vary — call ahead before bringing material, since many MRFs accept only contracted route loads.
Typically accepted at a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF)
- Cardboard and mixed paper
- Plastic bottles, jugs and tubs
- Aluminum and steel cans
- Glass containers (program dependent)
- Cartons (program dependent)
Hours, fees and accepted materials vary by site — call ahead before hauling a load.
County context
One of 33 recycling centers in Pierce County, WA.
119 waste haulers in Pierce County, WA.
ZIP 98421 at a glance
- Population
- 424 (25 per sq mi)
- Median age
- 33
- Households
- Median income $26,307 · 0% earn six figures
- Housing
- 5% owner-occupied · median rent $1,083
- Workforce
- 18% labor-force participation · 0% unemployment
ZIP figures are US Census estimates for the ZIP area, not the company.
Washington solid-waste agency: Washington State Department of Ecology