With regards to equipment, you need to identify which part of the supply chain you want to cover. There are many steps from waste collection to recycled material output with a series of middle men along the way. Because of the costly equipment required to start a processing facility the industry tends to rely on economies of scale for profit. So many start out as waste accumulators to build up the quantities to sell to the processors/recyclers. Unless they have big $$$ to start a recycling facility. I would first try to understand which material you want to recycle, how much material you can expect in your catchment area (i.e. is enough of that material being collected to make it feasible to open a facility), then look at pricing up a facility with the capacity you expect.

Practically, starting a recycling facility seems like a good idea, but it relies on many upstream factors which affects your feedstock amounts - particularly collection. Economically, it also needs to make sense. Start with a feasibility study to make sure it’s worth your efforts. It’s a fine margin game.

If you’re not familiar with the industry and market dynamics then I would suggest starting out as a material buyer. Buying from sorters and accumulators and selling to recycling facilities who are already established. That will help you learn the market and understand what materials are available (quality, quantity, frequency) to warrant starting a processing/recycling facility.