Recycling

In 2008, SITA UK recycled 30 per cent of the 10 million tonnes of waste that we handled.

We collect recyclable material from householders and businesses throughout the country, and operate 40 materials recycling facilities (MRF) and 120 household recycling sites across the UK.

Our materials recycling facilities sort and bale a variety of recyclable materials including paper, cardboard, plastics and cans for onward shipment to reprocessors.

During 2008, we opened a number of new state-of-the art facilities.

Our new £13 million facility at West Sleekburn houses an advanced materials recycling facility capable of processing up to 50,000 tonnes of mixed dry recyclables a year.

In Dorset, we have begun work on an environmental park in Purbeck, which will provide composting and recycling facilities for up to 122,000 tonnes of waste a year. Dorset County Council gave planning permission for the £15 million project at the Binnegar quarry site in early 2008. The facility will process dry recyclables – such as paper, cans and plastic bottles – as well as garden and organic kitchen products, all collected from west and central Dorset.

A centre for pre-treating and recycling waste is also under construction at our Beacon Hill landfill site, also in Dorset. It will allow SITA UK to divert materials such as green waste, wood, cardboard, metal and glass from commercial and municipal waste. Following a request by members of the Beacon Hill Liaison Committee, we are also providing a recycling area for the local Corfe Mullen community in east Dorset.

Another materials recycling facility opened in January 2008 at Poole. This £1 million centre is equipped to handle 5,000 tonnes of cardboard and packaging every month from homes and businesses in Poole, Bournemouth, Christchurch, Weymouth and Portland. Diverted from landfill, this packaging is crushed and baled before it is shipped off-site for pulping. It is then recycled into new products, including corrugated cardboard and tissue paper.

Read about our recycling services for businesses and local authorities, find out more about what happens to waste, or contact us for more information.