FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff has recently been made aware that the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF), at 1800 E Butler Ave, has closed. The MRF is operated by Norton Environmental, Inc. under a contract with the City to process the City’s recyclables. Due to the abrupt nature of this closure, the City does not currently have immediate alternatives in place to manage City-collected recyclables and has decided to pause the collection of residential recycling carts on Friday, April 28 while alternative solutions are sought. Residents who normally have recycling collection service on Friday are asked to not put their recycling carts on the curb as they will not be collected. Commercial recycling services will operate on a normal schedule.
Due to the abrupt nature of the MRF closure, all recyclables collected since Tuesday have been delivered to the Cinder Lake Landfill for disposal. Under the current situation, the City evaluated and exhausted all available alternatives and, unfortunately, had no other option but to landfill these materials.
Consequently, the public recycling drop-off at the MRF is not currently available. Alternative public recycling drop-off locations can be viewed in Google Maps here. However, the City encourages the public to hold their recyclables until further notice.
The City is working diligently with all regional partners to identify solutions to resume recycling services as soon as possible. An update will be sent out prior to the week of May 1 to inform residents of next steps related to residential recycling and the status of the MRF.
A fire at the MRF was also reported on the morning of Tuesday, April 25. No injuries were reported and the extent of the damage caused by the fire is unknown at this time. It is also unknown if the fire and the closure of the MRF are related.
Residents with questions related to recycling services can email solidwastesolutions@flagstaffaz.gov or call 928-213-2110.