What happens to the waste collected?

Upon collection every skip is returned to our purpose built recycling centre. Each skip is visually checked on arrival and tipped according to the nature of the waste contents. The recycling process then starts.

Recycling packaged on forklift

The waste is loaded into our trommel waste separator. This is a giant revolving drum similar to a sieve through which the dirt and earth drops. The remaining waste drops from the trommel onto a large conveyor belt, from which recyclable materials can be picked.

A giant fan blows and ‘light’ waste into a container. The remaining heavy brick rubble continues along the belt passing under a magnet (used to collect any metal fragments) and is deposited into a pile. This is then crushed into uniform sized rubble to be used as a recycled sub- base alternative to MOT limestone.

This process recovers approximately 80 – 85% of materials suitable for recycling, such as cardboard/paper/wood and plastics.

The remaining 15 – 20% of dirty/contaminated waste is still unfortunately, forwarded to landfill but with improving techniques and new markets opening we hope to bring this rate down even lower.

Recycling plant