WM unveiled its new $30 million single-stream recycling facility in Fort Walton Beach on Thursday, marking a significant investment in sustainability infrastructure for the Gulf Coast region.

• The 109 Ready Avenue NW plant, capable of processing up to 76,000 tons of recyclable materials annually, aims to increase the capture and potential reuse of materials across a wide swath of the southeastern United States.

At a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by local officials and industry representatives, WM executives highlighted the facility’s role in advancing recycling efforts and material circularity in an area that has historically lacked robust recycling infrastructure.

“Recycling in this area has been a challenge, but this facility will hopefully overcome that,” said Michael Beedie, WM senior manager of government affairs, in his opening remarks. “Everyone in this audience is a partner of ours, and we’re going to all work together to make this happen.”

The plant, which began operations two months ago, employs advanced automation to sort and process recyclable materials from residential and commercial sources. It will serve communities from Tallahassee, Florida, to Jackson, Mississippi, providing a local solution for sustainability efforts.

Brandon Shaw, WM Gulf Coast area vice president, emphasized the facility’s importance to the region.

• “As you look at the infrastructure around this part of the state, there’s not a real local viable solution for sustainability, and that’s what this facility provides,” Shaw said. “We’re so proud to be able to offer services from Tallahassee to Biloxi, Mississippi, and as far north as Jackson, Mississippi, for all your sustainability services.”

The Fort Walton Beach facility is part of WM’s broader $1.4 billion investment in recycling infrastructure across North America, according to Brent Bell, WM vice president of recycling. Bell highlighted the company’s focus on keeping materials in the domestic supply chain, partnering with local manufacturers to turn recyclables into new products.

“We keep all of our plastics here domestically,” Bell said, noting partnerships with companies like KW Plastics in Troy, Alabama, which turns recycled plastics into new packaging and paint cans.

Bell also addressed common questions about the recycling process. “One of their first things that they want to know is, what happens to my materials? Once I put it in the recycling bin, that seems to be a little bit of confusion on recycling,” he said.

• To address this, Bell emphasized the importance of proper recycling practices. “At WM, we like to keep recycling simple: paper, cardboard, bottles and cans go in all of your bins,” he explained.

Local officials praised the facility as a boon for the community and a step forward in environmental stewardship. Paul Mixon, Okaloosa County Commission chair, acknowledged past challenges with recycling programs in the area and expressed optimism about the new plant’s impact.

“Now we can guarantee to our citizens that their recycled materials are being recycled right here in our southeast region,” Mixon said. “They’re being repurposed so that we can reuse them.”

Fort Walton Beach Mayor Dick Rynearson highlighted the facility’s fit within the city’s Commerce and Technology Park and its potential to educate residents on proper recycling practices.

• “The City of Fort Walton Beach has been recycling for many years but we haven’t always done it in the proper way,” Rynearson said. “We’re going to learn about that and the city’s going to undertake an education process with WM’s support.”

Rynearson also praised the advanced technology employed at the facility. “They have got this down beyond being a science. It is absolutely amazing how they can take those things that we’re throwing in the recycle bin, how it gets here and it all gets separated, everything going its own separate direction.”

State Rep. Patt Maney emphasized the economic impact of the facility, which is expected to create up to 40 jobs when operating at full capacity. Maney also stressed the importance of public education in ensuring the facility’s success.

• “Our community really needs this facility,” Maney said. “And part of our job is going to be to educate the public on what they can put in and what they can’t put in because it can gum up the machines literally.”

The opening event featured tours of the facility, giving attendees a firsthand look at the advanced sorting technology in action. Mayor Rynearson, who had previously toured the facility, encouraged everyone to take advantage of the opportunity. “The tour will fascinate you and will be well worth every minute you spend on the tour,” he said.

WM has partnered with several local communities to process their recyclables, including Okaloosa County, Fort Walton Beach, Niceville, Cinco Bayou, Destin, Mary Esther, and Shalimar. Company officials expressed interest in expanding these partnerships to other municipalities across the region.

The event concluded with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, symbolizing the official opening of the facility.