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WM breaks ground on $30 Million Material Recovery Facility in Fort Walton Beach

WM, a leading waste management company, announced plans for its latest material recovery facility (MRF) in Fort Walton Beach. The company held a groundbreaking ceremony today for the facility that […]

Okaloosa County Commissioner Trey Goodwin and the groundbreaking ceremony at WM (WM)

WM, a leading waste management company, announced plans for its latest material recovery facility (MRF) in Fort Walton Beach. The company held a groundbreaking ceremony today for the facility that will be fully automated and will serve a wide area, covering Biloxi, MS to Tallahassee, FL.

  • The MRF is expected to be operational in Q2 2024.

The new facility is anticipated to be the first fully automated, full-scale recycling facility in Northwest Florida. It will be centrally located within the City of Fort Walton Beach in Okaloosa County.

  • The MRF will be equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including optical sorters, non-wrapping screens, and an OCC screen, which will help produce higher quality material for customers that use the recycled material as feedstock to manufacture new products.
WM

The Fort Walton Beach MRF is expected to be approximately 45,000 square feet with an expected capacity to process approximately 120,000 tons per year of single-stream and source separated recyclables.

The addition of this new WM MRF in Northwest Florida will help the region’s recycling programs to expand and produce higher quality material for customers, according to WM.

WM

“WM is pleased to announce our investment in building a state-of-the-art recycling material recovery facility right here in Fort Walton Beach,” said Brandon Shaw, WM Gulf Coast Area Vice President. “WM is committed to serving Northwest Florida and bringing sustainable solutions to the area as well as working together with local communities throughout the region to increase recycling through education and outreach.”

WM

This project is part of WM’s previously announced enterprise-wide plans to invest $1 billion in recycling infrastructure through 2025, including automating existing facilities and developing new facilities. With the demand for recycled content products expected to rise, the investments are expected to enable WM to capture more recycled materials and increase access to recycling for its customers.

PROMOTION

One Response

  1. Has the new facility in Fort Walton Beach opened and can it be toured by school age children with their parents or grandparents?
    I have a family full doubters of its validity. I would like to take the opportunity to prove them wrong! I have been following the recycling and material recovery process and find it very interesting. Can you send me information and a video of Materials Recovery in process for our local area of Okaloosa County, Florida? A big THANK YOU for your help.

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Michael Cobb commented on WordroW: August 19, 2026
“3,14”
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Michael Cobb commented on WordroW: August 18, 2026
“2 min 17 sec”
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“Please consider, brown flag. To ensure people are warned ahead of existing pathogens and bacteria. TDC has funds available. Thank you.”
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“Brown flag, is needed. Please get on this.As for public safety. Thanks for your dedication.”
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“My family had a time share there. How do I access the services now?”
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“Can the “park” or ever you call the space at the west end of Okaloosa island under Walter tower, get some much needed updates and major improvements? We have visitors...”
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Scott Schaeffler commented on WordroW: August 21, 2026
“2:17, 6 attempts”
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“If we have cox Inernet and cable TV . What do we need to do when the change over happens on our part”
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