Renewal in Sunset Park (2017)

The United States is often noted for its excessive quantities of waste, which includes single-use plastics, cans and packaging. If not properly recycled, these materials pile up in landfills or, worse, can pollute land and water. To help combat this issue in the nation's largest city is The Sunset Park Material Recovery Facility, a processing center for New York City's curbside recyclables. Operated by Sims Municipal Recycling, this 11-acre complex has the capability to recycle approximately 1,000 tons of metal, glass and plastic materials per day. The facility's principal architect, Annabelle Selldorf, designed the structure with sustainability in mind. To further Sims' mission to transform New York into a sustainable city, the facility was constructed with recycled materials, utilizes a wind turbine and solar panel array to generate power and incorporates an on-site recycling education center.