Dive Brief:

• The Board of Supervisors in Sonoma County, California has approved a permit for a new material recovery facility (MRF) at the Sonoma County landfill.
• Landfill owner Republic Services will build and operate the MRF on its existing property.
• The 20-year contract is worth an estimated $547 million for the waste and recycling company.

Dive Insight:

According to The Press and Democrat, under the terms of the  agreement, Republic has two years to build the facility. Sonoma County is hoping to reach a diversion rate of 80% by 2015, 90% by 2020 and 100% by 2064.

MRFs are being used across the country to increase diversion rates; for example, a new facility opened in Montgomery, AL in April that expects to divert 80% of its waste.