News / recycling
New facility will transform region’s recycling
A new processing plant in Avonmouth will increase recycling capacity for Bristol and the region.
The shed in Avonmouth, roughly one-and-a-half-times the size of the SS Great Britain, is the result of a multi-million pound investment.
Over the last year Bristol Waste collected around 40,000 tonnes of recycling, the equivalent of 30 Clifton suspension bridges in weight.
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As well as Bristol-based services, the new facility, equipped with sorting technology to effectively separate a higher volume of steel, aluminium cans, cardboard, and plastic bottles, will benefit other south west recycling carriers.
These businesses are currently, depending on the material, having to transport recyclables to Wales, east Midlands and the north of England.
“This new facility represents a significant investment in Bristol’s future,” said Dave Knight, Bristol Waste interim managing director.
“Bristol is already the number one core English city for recycling, but we’ve got our sights set even higher. By improving local recycling facilities, we not only improve sorting and processing for Bristol Waste Company, but also for the sector in the south west of England.”
The facility will generate revenue which will be reinvested into Bristol services by the council, though at this time they have not specified exactly where the money will be spent.
The new shed is 2,160 square metres, or 23,250 square feet, in size – photo: Encon Construction
It will also support the council’s sustainability efforts, and the One City Climate Strategy’s target to become carbon neutral and climate resilient by 2030. plan, laid out in 2020, also outlines a goal for Bristol to become a zero waste city.
On recycling, the strategy states: “Achieving near carbon neutral emissions from waste management requires not only waste reduction and improved recycling but also the removal of plastics from the residual waste stream…
“As a city that leads on responsible consumption we can take the opportunities to develop new business models which focus on sustainable consumption, reducing waste and developing a circular economy.”
The increased recycling capacity supports the strategy’s goal for delivery of “cost savings for the public purse from improved more efficient recycling and waste reduction.”
The new shed will be completed and ready for action in early 2025.
Main photo: Bristol Waste Company
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