Analysis
NAICS 562920 is the 2022 national industry for materials recovery facilities, part of 56292 (Materials Recovery Facilities). Census lists 5 example activities under it in the official index.
County Business Patterns counts 1,399 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 25,328 people at an average annual payroll of $62,275 per employee (38th percentile of national industries). 40% of the establishments have fewer than five employees, which is close to the national mix.
Its index entries, the activities Census uses to assign businesses to this code, include materials recovery facilities (MRF), MRF (materials recovery facilities), recyclable materials recovery facilities and removal of recyclable materials from a waste stream, among 5 in all.
For example, merchant wholesaling automotive, industrial, and other recyclable materials are classified in 423930 (Recyclable Material Merchant Wholesalers) instead.
Census lists 1 related activities that belong elsewhere, most often in 423930. Businesses that do several things are classified by their primary activity, the one that generates the most value, so check those boundaries before settling on this code.
Official definition
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in (1) operating facilities for separating and sorting recyclable materials from nonhazardous waste streams (i.e., garbage) and/or (2) operating facilities where commingled recyclable materials, such as paper, plastics, used beverage cans, and metals, are sorted into distinct categories.
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Not this code if…
| The business mainly does | Use instead |
|---|---|
| Merchant wholesaling automotive, industrial, and other recyclable materials | 423930 Recyclable Material Merchant Wholesalers |
Index entries (5)
- Materials recovery facilities (MRF)
- MRF (materials recovery facilities)
- Recyclable materials recovery facilities
- Removal of recyclable materials from a waste stream
- Waste recovery facilities