The Teesside energy-from-waste (EfW) plant is run by SITA Tees Valley, a joint venture between SITA UK and the four Teesside local authorities of Stockton, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland, and Hartlepool.

The facility has been fully operational since May 1998, operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, processing municipal and non-hazardous industrial and commercial waste.

The facility has two furnace lines with a combined processing capacity of 250,000 tonnes of municipal waste per year. A third line is currently under construction which will be capable of processing a further 125,000 tonnes of municipal waste. Currently, up to 100 waste collection vehicles carrying 1,000 tonnes of waste arrive at the plant every day.

The EfW facility:

  • has processed over 2,165,000 tonnes of waste (to end of July 2007) since it opened
  • produces an average of 20 megawatts of electricity per hour of operation - this will increase by a further 10 megawatts when the third line becomes operational in 2009
  • has generated over 1,275,000 megawatt hours of electricity since opening (to end of July 2007)
  • generates enough electricity to supply 40,000 homes with power - this will increase to 60,000 homes when the third line becomes operational
  • currently receives up to 4,000 tonnes of municipal waste every week, which will increase to 6,000 tonnes in 2009

Also:

  • Since 2000, over 345,000 tonnes (to end July 2007) of Incinerator Bottom Ash (IBA) has been recycled for use as a replacement for virgin aggregates in the construction industry.
  • From 2000 to July 2007, over 27,500 tonnes of ferrous metals have been recovered and recycled together with 3,400 tonnes of non-ferrous metals.

Community recycling centre
Situated next to the Teesside EfW plant is SITA UK's community recycling centre.

The centre takes recyclable material such as glass, cans, paper, batteries, oils, chemicals and domestic appliances.

The facility consists of a number of containers for bulky waste. The containers are clearly marked to ensure that the waste is segregated and therefore easier to recycle.

Since opening in December 2001, 152,500 tonnes of material has been deposited with over 51,000 tonnes sent for recycling, 57,183 sent for energy recovery and 52 tonnes sent for re-use in their original form (books / furniture).

Ash recycling facility
Also next to the Teesside EfW plant is SITA UK's ash recycling facility. This facility receives incinerator bottom ash (IBA) from the EfW process, which is graded into different size fractions. During the process, ferrous and non-ferrous material is recovered.

The facility uses a system of conveyors, rotating trommel and vibrating screens to separate the material into 0-10 mm and 10-40mm fractions.

Overband magnets are used to recover course and fine ferrous material, which is sent for reprocessing. Non-ferrous material is extracted by an eddy current separator. This also goes for reprocessing and is used by the construction industry for the production of aggregate.

Composting facility
In 2006, composting was introduced to the site with the development of a new open windrow system. Since opening, the site has processed 20,00 tonnes of green waste.

Community involvement
Teesside EfW plant plays an important role in the education of the people of Teesside on waste and environmental issues. The plant has a designated visitor plan, which takes members of the public through the process of energy from waste and brings the complex issues surrounding waste management to life.

Community groups, schools, universities and local authorities are able to see for themselves the benefits that EfW can bring.

The plant also has strong links with the Industry Nature Conservation Association who, together with SITA UK, manage the landscaping of a nature reserve on the site.

Contact us
SITA UK
Teesside Energy from Waste Plant
Haverton Hill Road
Billingham
Cleveland
TS23 1PY

Tel: +44 (0) 1642 202 300
Fax: +44 (0) 1642 202 301