Materials Recovery Facilities
Description
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in (1) operating facilities for separating and sorting recyclable materials from nonhazardous waste streams (i.e., garbage) and/or (2) operating facilities where commingled recyclable materials, such as paper, plastics, used beverage cans, and metals, are sorted into distinct categories.
Hierarchy
| Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 56 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services 2-digit sector | The Sector as a Whole The Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services sector comprises establishments performing routine support activities for the day-to-day operations of other organizations. These essential activities are often undertaken in-house by establishments in many sectors of the economy. The establishments in this sector specialize in one or more of these support activities and provide these services to clients in a variety of industries and, in some cases, to households. Activities performed include: office administration, hiring and placing of personnel, document preparation and similar clerical services, solicitation, collection, security and surveillance services, cleaning, and waste disposal services. The administrative and management activities performed by establishments in this sector are typically on a contract or fee basis. These activities may also be performed by establishments that are part of the company or enterprise. However, establishments involved in administering, overseeing, and managing other establishments of the company or enterprise are classified in Sector 55, Management of Companies and Enterprises. Establishments in Sector 55, Management of Companies and Enterprises, normally undertake the strategic and organizational planning and decision-making role of the company or enterprise. Government establishments engaged in administering, overseeing, and managing governmental programs are classified in Sector 92, Public Administration. |
| 562 | Waste Management and Remediation Services 3-digit subsector | Industries in the Waste Management and Remediation Services subsector group establishments engaged in the collection, treatment, and disposal of waste materials. This includes establishments engaged in local hauling of waste materials; operating materials recovery facilities (i.e., those that sort recyclable materials from the trash stream); providing remediation services (i.e., those that provide for the cleanup of contaminated buildings, mine sites, soil, or ground water); and providing septic pumping and other miscellaneous waste management services. There are three industry groups within the subsector that separate these activities into waste collection, waste treatment and disposal, and remediation and other waste management. Excluded from this subsector are establishments primarily engaged in collecting, treating, and disposing waste through sewer systems or sewage treatment facilities that are classified in Industry 22132, Sewage Treatment Facilities, and establishments primarily engaged in long-distance hauling of waste materials that are classified in Industry 48423, Specialized Freight (except Used Goods) Trucking, Long-Distance. Also, there are some activities that appear to be related to waste management, but that are not included in this subsector. For example, establishments primarily engaged in providing waste management consulting services are classified in Industry 54162, Environmental Consulting Services. |
| 5629 | Remediation and Other Waste Management Services 4-digit industry group | This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in remediation and other waste management services (except waste collection, waste treatment and disposal, and waste management consulting services). |
| 56292 | Materials Recovery Facilities 5-digit NAICS industry | See industry description for 562920. |
| 562920 | Materials Recovery Facilities 6-digit U.S. detail | This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in (1) operating facilities for separating and sorting recyclable materials from nonhazardous waste streams (i.e., garbage) and/or (2) operating facilities where commingled recyclable materials, such as paper, plastics, used beverage cans, and metals, are sorted into distinct categories. |
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Classification References
- 01Establishments primarily engaged in merchant wholesaling automotive, industrial, and other recyclable materials are classified in Industry 423930, Recyclable Material Merchant Wholesalers.
Index Items
Materials recovery facilities (MRF)
MRF (materials recovery facilities)
Recyclable materials recovery facilities
Removal of recyclable materials from a waste stream
Waste recovery facilities
How Item Can Help
Optimizes inventory levels across multiple collection centers to ensure high-quality recyclable materials are available for immediate processing, reducing spoilage and lost revenue.
Automates real-time order routing to coordinate pickup and delivery with recycling partners while dynamically adjusting to fluctuating commodity prices and contract terms.
Enhances logistics efficiency by streamlining fleet utilization and route planning for bulky materials, significantly lowering transportation costs and emissions for bulky recyclables.
External Resources
Census.gov NAICS Detail
Official US Census Bureau definition and scope for NAICS 562920.
Recycling Industry Association
Global trade association for materials recovery facilities and recyclers.
US EPA Waste Management Guidelines
Government resource providing regulations and guidance on materials recovery in the United States.
GreenBiz Directory
Industry directory listing businesses and materials recovery facilities globally.
