Phoenix, AZ

27th Avenue MRF Upgrades Advance Phoenix’s Zero Waste Vision

Client: City of Phoenix
Our Role: Planning, Feasibility, Design, and Inspection Support

Compressed bales of cardboard and aluminum cans stacked inside a recycling and materials handling facility.

For more than two decades, Phoenix’s 27th Avenue Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) helped process the city’s recyclables. But as the community grew and recycling technology evolved, the facility needed a major upgrade to keep pace. Rather than retrofit aging equipment, the city committed to a complete facility transformation while keeping the rest of the busy transfer station operating. Working alongside the city, contractors, and equipment vendors, GFT helped reimagine the facility within the constraints of an existing building, overcoming space limitations, aging infrastructure, and evolving design requirements.

Key Features

Delivered planning, design, and infrastructure improvements within an active transfer station.
Coordinated civil, structural, architectural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing upgrades to support a completely reconfigured facility.
Integrated advanced materials-sorting technologies, including AI-driven optical sorters, robotics, and ballistic sorting systems.
Applied 3D modeling and collaborative design to fit new processing equipment within the existing building footprint.

Outcomes

Improved material recovery rates and operational efficiency through advanced automation and AI-powered sorting.
Extended the useful life of an existing municipal asset while minimizing the need for new facility construction.
Maintained essential waste and recycling services for residents throughout construction.
Strengthened the city’s ability to achieve its long-term Zero Waste Plan and sustainability objectives.
American Public Works Association, Arizona Chapter, 2026 Public Works Project of the Year — Environment $25-$75M.
American Society of Civil Engineers, Arizona Section Phoenix Branch, 2026 Project of the Year — Greater Than $10M.
National Society of Professional Engineers, Arizona, 2026 Outstanding Engineering Achievement of the Year.