The term “waste to energy” will have a new meaning once a state-of-the-art recycling facility opens, according to ABC Disposal Services, Inc. officials.

On Saturday, the New Bedford-based waste management company broke ground on what will be a 90,000-square foot waste processing facility at 48 Cranberry Highway.

The plant is expected to recycle between 90 and 95 percent of accepted refuse.

Using technology developed by the WERC-2 corporation, solid waste will also be converted into fuel briquettes that are similar to coal but burn cleaner.

“This will help us grow the economy without creating the environmental problems we’re all concerned about,” said William Rhatigan of WERC-2. Rhatighan and Gerald O’Brien, both of Bourne, created the corporation to develop the briquettes, named Eco-Tac.

According to WERC-2, Eco-Tac emits sulfur dioxide and mercury at levels that are 80 percent less than coal. The fuel’s carbon dioxide emissions boast a 20 percent reduction. When burned, Eco-Tac is odorless. It also produces much less ash than coal.

The new facility, which will operate as Zero Waste Solutions, is permitted to accept a wide range of materials.

“We call it one stop shopping,” New Bedford Waste Services President Michael Camara said. ABC Disposal Service is a sister company of New Bedford Waste.

Municipal solid waste, construction and demolition debris, single-stream recycables electronic products and more will be delivered to the site.

Two separate conveyors will service recycables and solid waste. Camara said between 50 and 60 percent of discarded material in solid waste may be recycled. The new facility will filter that out to be reused.

After visiting processing plants in Europe and across the country, Camara said the Rochester plant is unique.

“Nobody has what we have,” he said.

The entire site was designed with green principles in mind. Solar panels covering 80,000 square feet will provide much of the electricity for the plant.

The groundbreaking capped a lengthy review process. Camara thanked Selectmen, the Board of Health, the Planning Board and residents for their support.

State Sen. Michael Rodriques and State Rep. Paul Schmid offered remarks and congratulations.

Peter Flood, project manager for Green Seal Environment, Inc. said his company provided a “multi-disciplinary” approach to get the project going, including work at the local and state level.

“I think it’s going to lead to something we can all be proud of. It’s certainly a model for the future,” Flood said.

Camara compared the looming problems of waste disposal to the story of David and Goliath.

“If you think about the story, David won in the end,” he said. “Our goal is to make the world a healthier place, a cleaner place, for future generations.”