WM Detroit Recycling Facility

From 2022 through 2026, WM plans to invest more than $1.4 billion to build new and update existing recycling facilities with state-of-the-art technology to increase the amount of materials that can be recycled and reused in other packaging and products.

$55 Million Toward Your Community

WM has invested approximately $55M to help drive circularity in the State of Michigan by investing in a state-of-the-art single-stream recycling facility in the City of Detroit.

This facility features optical sorting scanners for both fibers and plastic that work to optimize the recovery and quality of recycled materials. Additionally, the operation includes system upgrades to support glass recovery and clean-up, as well as an advanced fire detection system designed to detect fires before they spread. The WM Detroit Recycling Facility is capable of processing 144k tons a year of material, potentially giving materials a second life, and providing greater opportunity for local solutions for single-stream recycling.

To learn more about our environmental efforts, visit our Sustainability Report.

With this investment, WM intends to reinvent what's possible for Sustainability in Michigan - as recycling is perhaps the most important service WM provides to help our customers reduce emissions and environmental impact.

Who We Are

WM is North America’s leading provider of integrated environmental solutions. We collaborate with our customers and communities to manage and reduce waste from collection to disposal while recovering valuable resources and creating clean, renewable energy. We are on a quest for environmental performance, a mission to maximize resource value, while minimizing – and even eliminating – environmental impact so that both our economy and our environment can thrive.

Operating the largest network of recycling facilities across North America, WM runs 49 single stream recycling facilities that sort and prepare recyclables for end markets. WM has over three decades of experience in creating and implementing single stream recycling initiatives and was the first major solid waste company to focus on residential single stream recycling.

What is Single Stream Recycling?

Mixed recyclables are collected curbside by a truck.

Trucks travel to a material recovery facility, where recyclables are unloaded onto a tip floor.

Material is unloaded, inspected, and stored until it’s ready to be transferred to a conveyor.

Sortation equipment separates cans, containers, and bottles from paper. An eddy current and magnets work to sort aluminum and tin cans into a metals-only stream.

Sorted materials are baled and shipped to customers, where they are used as feedstock for new products.

How Recycling Works

We all know it’s a good idea to recycle — but have you ever wondered what happens to that aluminum can or cardboard box after you put it in the recycling bin?

What happens next? What does it become in its second life?

Let’s find out.

Community Benefit & Sustainability

Creation of 50+ new careers, including administrative, technician, operator, exempt and general labor roles, with a focus on local employment and engagement.
Increased recycling participation and capacity.
Recycling supplier for Michigan manufacturers, making Michigan manufacturing more sustainable.
Community recycling education.
Expanded recycling services.
Position Detroit as a leader in single stream recycling.

Hiring Today, For Tomorrow®

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Cultivating Circularity

WM collaborates with Michigan Manufacturers, like Cascade Engineering, the manufacturer of the EcoCart – to provide access to recycled content. The more materials we can keep in the circular economy – the more emissions we can avoid.

Recycling in Michigan At an All-Time High

Learn more about the historic rise in residential recycling and future plans from environmental leaders.