Eureka Recycling starts up newly upgraded MRF

Eureka Recycling in Minneapolis is celebrating 20 years in business this month, and to mark the occasion, the company has launched its newly upgraded material recovery facility (MRF) following a $12 million investment in sorting and processing equipment.

According to Eureka, the enhanced facility promises to “substantially” increase processing capacity and efficiency.

“This upgrade represents more than just new equipment—it’s a recommitment to the communities we serve and to the zero-waste mission that’s guided us for 20 years,” Eureka Recycling co-President and CEO Katie Drews says. “Every bale that leaves our facility reflects the values we fight for: environmental justice, strong local economies and communities and a future free from waste. As the recycling industry changes, we’re proud to lead with integrity, innovation and impact.”

Photo courtesy of Eureka Recycling

The upgrade took years of planning and, Eureka says, the implementation took place over six months to minimize downtime.

Key facility upgrades include advanced optical sorting technology, an enhanced cardboard separation system and streamlined operations.

Four optical sorters were installed to enhance sorting precision and effectiveness. The sorters use laser technology for “rapid and accurate material identification” and employ targeted air jets to isolate specific materials at more than 1,000 sorts per minute.

Three sorters are dedicated to the MRF’s paper line to ensure better quality by removing contaminants like recyclable containers and nonrecyclables, such as plastic bags and wrappers. The fourth sorter is on the MRF’s container line to optimize purity and capture missorted paper, including small or crumpled material.

Eureka also upgraded its cardboard separation system to better reflect an increase in smaller packaging and maximize its recovery. The system is engineered to minimize film wrapping around screens and improve worker safety. It also features an enlarged cardboard conveyor belt to reduce downtime caused by jams.

Finally, the streamlined operations include automated feeding conveyors to balers and compactors to further optimize processing efficiency.

The upgrade is Eureka’s second major facility upgrade in 20 years.

In 2014, the MRF transitioned to single-stream processing, and Eureka says this latest upgrade addresses evolving material streams, including increased volumes of nonrecyclables, bottles, cans and cardboard, along with a decline in volumes of traditional paper grades.

“This ensures that recovered materials are effectively repurposed into new products, predominantly within Minnesota,” Eureka says in a news release.

In 2024, approximately 75 percent of sorted materials were processed within Minnesota, according to Eureka, while 95 percent were processed within the Midwest and the remaining 5 percent in North America.

“This facility upgrade is a game-changer for how we process materials efficiently, safely and responsibly,” Eureka recycling co-President and Chief Operating Officer Miriam Holsinger says. “We’ve invested in the kind of technology that not only meets today’s challenges—like more plastics, packaging and contamination—but does so without compromising our commitment to worker safety or material quality. That’s what mission-driven operations look like.”