Urban Impact Plant Operations
Urban Impact operates a Material Recovery Facility (MRF) in New Westminster British Columbia. This facility processes both commercial and residential blue box materials.
What is a Material Recovery Facility?
A Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) is the central location where haulers and collectors from across the Lower Mainland deliver both commercial and residential recycling materials. Upon arrival, these inbound materials are received, sorted, processed, and baled. The finished bales are then shipped to end markets, where they are used as feedstock to manufacture new packaging and products.
The MRF processes incoming recyclables and separates them into approximately 18 distinct material categories. This is achieved through an array of advanced technologies and equipment, including magnets, eddy current separators, screening systems, and optical sorters. The operation is highly sophisticated and impressive to observe in person.
Learn more about the materials we recycle.
Setting New Standards for Efficiency and Diversion
Urban Impact’s Material Recovery Facility (MRF) is located in New Westminster British Columbia. The MRF utilizes a wide range of state-of-the-art technologies to sort and prepare recyclable material for re-sale and reuse.
Designed for Maximum Efficiency ⌄
The New Westminster facility originally opened in 2011, with significant equipment investments and technology upgrades completed in 2014, 2020 and 2024.
To support smooth, efficient, and streamlined receiving logistics, the site operates two scales in the North Yard. In addition, Traffic Control personnel are on duty during all operating hours to ensure safe and coordinated vehicle movements.
AI-Powered Processing ⌄
Processing of recyclable materials is achieved through a combination of mechanical separation, advanced AI-driven technologies, and skilled personnel. Recent investments in processing equipment include state-of-the-art optical sorters that leverage artificial intelligence to accurately identify and separate materials, enabling the production of high-quality commodity grades.
What We Process ⌄
The New Westminster facility is equipped to receive both Single Stream and Multi Stream inbound materials, whether delivered loose or baled. In addition, commercial grades such as cardboard, mixed paper and a variety of other grades are accepted.
Single Stream VS. Multi Stream
Single Stream
Single Stream refers to collection systems in which all blue box materials are mixed together at the point of collection and subsequently separated at the MRF.
Multi Stream
Multi Stream systems, by contrast, require materials to be sorted into multiple categories during collection; these separate streams are then delivered to the MRF in their respective categories.
New West Plant Safety
Our annual goal is to achieve Zero incidents, Zero accidents. It is a big goal that requires extraordinary effort, training, communication and commitment from the operating team.
“Work safely, always” is the first pillar of our thirteen corporate Cultural Values. It is first for a reason and guides our operating teams every day.
In 2024 Urban Impact was awarded the Manufacturing
Safety Alliance annual award for Safety Innovation .
Urban Impact promotes our safety culture through:
- On going and continuous safety training
- Relentless pursuit of safety and operational best practices
- Active safety engagement program for all employees.
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