Bulk Handling Systems (BHS) has announced the construction of a new Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) in Grand Junction, Colorado, to be operated by Bruin Waste. The facility, set to open in June 2026, will be the region’s first fully automated recycling plant.
The project features BHS’s patented Autonomous-Container-Loop system, which enables full recovery of plastics and aluminum containers without manual labor. With a processing capacity of 12 tonnes per hour, the plant combines advanced AI detection, automated controls, and real-time performance monitoring to maximize recovery rates and material purity.
Key technologies include the Max-AI AIR sorting system, SpydIR-HS optical sorters with hyperspectral imaging, and BHS’s patented NO-WRAP screening technologies. These systems will allow the facility to efficiently sort a wide range of recyclables while minimizing downtime and labor requirements.
According to Bruin Waste CEO Jeffrey R. Kendall, the facility represents a major investment in the region’s recycling future. He emphasized that it will bring advanced technology to a community where such facilities are not yet available, while also supporting the development of future extended producer responsibility (EPR) legislation.
BHS highlighted that the project contributes to local sustainability goals by preserving landfill capacity, increasing recycling rates, and providing smaller communities with access to advanced recycling infrastructure.
