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30 Aug 07Recycling Plant For Poole
Borough of Poole is progressing ambitious plans to create a £14.5 million recycling plant in the town by 2011.
Councillors are being asked to consider proposals to open a materials recycling facility (MRF) and waste transfer station at the council’s Hatch Pond depot on Hatch Pond Road. A report outlining the initial proposals will be presented to members of Borough of Poole’s Environment Overview Group 
on Monday, September 3.
The construction of a MRF in Poole would allow the council to maintain and develop its successful blue bin scheme. Recycling rates in the borough have more than doubled since the scheme’s introduction in September 2004.
The blue bin scheme, which collects recyclable paper, plastic, cardboard, tin cans and glass, requires the use of a MRF. Currently, there are only five recycling plants in the UK capable of handling Poole’s recycling needs.
A MRF is an enclosed building containing equipment that can mechanically sort mixed recyclable material and bale it up ready for sale to the recycling market. Poole’s recycled waste from its blue bin scheme is currently transferred to a MRF in Kent, but the council’s contract to use the facility ends in June 2011.
The MRF would be operated in partnership with Viridor Waste Management , one of the country’s leading waste and recycling companies. Viridor has a long-term contract with Borough of Poole to manage the council’s waste disposal operation until 2027.
Councillor Don Collier, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for the Environment, said: “Our blue bin scheme has gone from strength to strength over the last three years and it has proved very popular with residents. We want to build on the success of the scheme and improve the efficiency of our recycling processes and creating our own MRF in Poole is an exciting way forward.”
Patrick Murray, Regional Manager for Operations, Viridor, said: "Viridor Waste Management are proud to be playing a major role in helping the Borough of Poole achieve the best recycling solutions. As an organisation we are committed to helping our customers meet ever more demanding waste targets and develop new approaches to materials’ recycling, firmly built on the principles of economic and environmental sustainability."
A project team, including representatives from Borough of Poole and Viridor, will develop a full business case for the MRF by March 31, 2008. Construction of the MRF could start by October 2009, with work scheduled for completion by March 31, 2011.
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