Poole and Bournemouth are participating in talks that may see the towns partnering in the creation of a £14.5 million materials recycling facility (MRF) and waste transfer station to be located at the Hatch Pond depot.
Poole generates approximately 15,000 tonnes a year of blue bin recyclable waste consisting of plastic, paper, tins, cardboard, and glass. There are only five recycling plants in the UK that are capable of processing Poole’s needs. Currently, the waste must travel to Kent to be processed.
Poole’s contract runs out in 2011 and instead of renewing it, Poole proposed to have its own facility capable of processing 70,000 tonnes of waste a year. Viridor Waste Management, the firm which currently holds the long-term contract with Poole, would become a partner in operating the plant.
The centre, which would be enclosed, would “mechanically sort mixed recyclable material and bale it up ready for sale to the recycling market”.
Cllr Don Collier said: “The proposed MRF offers the most affordable and secure strategy for sustaining both Poole and Bournemouth’s successful recycling schemes.
“We have made good progress in developing an outline business case for the project and we are pleased that discussions indicate that Bournemouth Borough Council will hopefully be joining our partnership with Viridor.”
Bournemouth Borough Council’s Reg Hutton confirmed the talks with Poole.
“We are working closely with Poole relating to the proposed development of a Materials Recycling Facility to be located within their borough.
“It is envisaged that if this facility is constructed, Bournemouth may in the future benefit from having a facility of this type locally.”
To learn more, visit poole.gov.uk
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