Republic Services has formally opened the Peabody Recycling Center in Massachusetts, signaling a notable step up in the region’s recycling capacity. The 54,000-square-foot facility received a broad upgrade package designed to increase throughput and improve the quality of material sent to end markets.
Facility upgrades and capabilities
- Facility size and service area: The center spans about 54,000 square feet and is positioned to serve communities across Greater Boston.
- Automation and sorting: The site features automated sorting equipment and enhanced sorting technology intended to boost accuracy, efficiency, and throughput.
- Conveyance and handling: An integrated conveyor network coordinates material flow through the processing lines.
- Separation technologies: The plant includes eddy current separators and ballistic sorters to separate metals and other streams from mixed recyclables.
- Baling and output quality: Built-in baling systems and updated processing lines are designed to produce cleaner bales suitable for end markets.
- Safety enhancements: Upgraded safety systems help protect workers and visitors during operations.
The upgrades enable the Peabody site to process about 35 to 40 tons of recyclables per hour, a meaningful increase that allows more material to be diverted from landfills and to yield higher-quality output for downstream buyers.
Kurt Lavery, Republic Services Market Vice President, commented on the impact of the project: “This facility enables us to process more recyclables, divert more material from landfills, and deliver cleaner commodities to end-users.” His remarks frame the Peabody center as a concrete step in the company’s efforts to strengthen recycling services in the Greater Boston region and support local sustainability goals.
In conjunction with the opening, community leaders and local officials toured the facility to gain a closer look at the equipment and workflow. The event highlighted how automated sorting, advanced conveyance, and separation technologies are integrated to optimize recovery and reduce contamination in recyclable streams.
Located at 109 Newbury Street in Peabody, the center is set to serve numerous communities throughout Greater Boston. Republic Services describes the project as part of its ongoing commitment to sustainable waste management and to building a more resilient regional recycling network.
