Friedman Recycling Opens New Facility

Albuquerque Mayor Richard Berry and Friedman Recycling have cut a ceremonial ribbon on the company’s new single-stream materials recovery facility (MRF) in Albuquerque, N.M. The cost to build the facility, described as part of a public-private partnership between the City of Albuquerque and Friedman Recycling, was about $21 million, with Friedman paying all costs associated with the construction.

When fully operational the 89,000-square-foot single-stream MRF is expected to handle 120,000 tons of recyclables per year. Material to be handled at the plant includes plastic bottles, cans, small electronic scrap, old corrugated containers, chipboard and most grades of paper.

The recycling system was designed, manufactured and installed by Eugene, Oregon-based Bulk Handling Systems (BHS).

“This new facility is a symbol of our commitment to recycling and forever changes the way Albuquerque recycles,” says Mayor Berry. “This state-of-the-art facility brings with it 35 new jobs for the Albuquerque economy and will grow to 75 employees over time.”

Following a 2010 El Paso retrofit, this marks the second time in three years that Friedman Recycling has chosen BHS for a single stream project.

“BHS has been a great partner for us,” says Morris Friedman, Friedman Recycling's president. “We’ve been aggressively growing our single stream capabilities at all of our plants.  We’ve enjoyed working with BHS to bring state-of-the-art recycling solutions to all of our municipal, commercial and institutional clients.  BHS has great screens, and the sales, design, service and installation crews are top notch.”

“Friedman Recycling has shown a commitment to bringing innovative recycling solutions to the Southwest,” says BHS President John Warne. “This beautiful facility is the latest example and significantly enhances the way Albuquerque recycles – a testament to the Friedman family and all that make up their company.”

Saying the city “understands the importance of recycling,” David Friedman, CEO of Friedman Recycling, also commented, “Friedman Recycling is proud to have formed this partnership with Mayor Berry and the City of Albuquerque. Friedman Recycling is happy to be a corporate citizen of the City of Albuquerque and looks forward to helping change the way the city recycles.”