This page explains what happens to your recycling and waste after collection.
Mixed recycling
Mixed recycling is sorted into separate materials at a Materials Recovery Facility, a state-of-the-art sorting centre based in Crayford, Kent.
Glass
Almost all of the glass we collect is recycled in the UK. Glass in good condition can be recycled infinitely with no loss of quality. Glass can be ground down and used for aggregate in the construction industry.
Metal
Most of the metal we collect is recycled in the UK. A small amount is sent for specialist repurposing in various countries in Europe. A metal tin that you put in your recycling bin could be back on supermarket shelves in less than 60 days.
Paper and cardboard
Some of the paper and cardboard we collect is recycled in the UK. Some is sent abroad for recycling on a basis of supply and demand but always to facilities that are accredited and licensed by the UK Environment Agency. Paper and cardboard are pulped and reprocessed into fresh paper products.
Plastic
Much of the plastic we collect is recycled in this country. Some types of plastic are sent abroad for recycling on the basis of supply and demand but always to facilities that are accredited and licensed by the UK Environment Agency. Unlike many local authorities, we collect many different types of plastic such as thin stretchy films and black trays.
Food waste
We take your food waste to Severn Trent Green Power North London Anaerobic Digestion Plant. The waste food is broken down by bacteria and turned into biogas and liquid fertiliser.
The plant creates 3 megawatts a year, which is enough to power 6 average sized homes. The liquid bio-fertiliser is nutrient rich and used by UK farmers to help grow the fruit and vegetables.
Watch 'Severn Trent Green Power - North London AD' on YouTube (2 minutes, 24 seconds)
Learn more about food waste recycling at Trent Green Power North website
Garden waste
Garden waste is taken to Wallingford composting site just outside of Oxford. Garden waste is turned into compost in just a few short weeks. The compost is then spread on local fields helping to naturally boost crop yields.
Coffee Pods
Used Coffee pods are taken to a specialist reprocessing plant in the UK, where packaging and coffee grounds are separated, then:
- coffee grounds are used to create soil improvers and renewable energy
- pods are transformed into new products such as beverage cans or plastic garden furniture
- aluminium pods are reprocessed at Tandom Metallurgical Group Ltd in Congleton, Cheshire
- plastic pods are reprocessed by Roydon in Swinton, near Manchester
Watch 'Podback: How your coffee pods are recycled' on YouTube (3 minutes, 20 seconds)
Textiles
Good quality items are sold to second-hand clothing traders in Ukraine. Worn items and garments get turned into industrial wipers, cloths, mattress filling, insulation and new fibres.
The demand for second hand clothing in the UK is smaller than the quantity collected by the service provider, so most clothing is processed and sold abroad where free and fair trade is available. Proceeds from sales support Thames Valley Air Ambulance.
Batteries and small electricals
The batteries we collect are recycled at a specialist facility in the West Midlands. Small electrical items are broken down into their constituent materials and recycled at an electrical salvage facility in Berkshire.
Household rubbish
We don’t put any of your household rubbish into landfill. We take material that can’t be recycled just up the road to an energy recovery facility in Ardley, Oxfordshire.
The waste is converted into energy in a process that meets the highest environmental standards and significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
The facility generates enough electricity to power at least 60,000 homes - that’s enough to power the whole of Oxford City.
Bulky waste
Bulky waste is collected and processed depending on the type of item:
- white goods are taken by box van to Euleme for degassing and metal retrieval
- electrical items are taken by box van to Jack Daw Lane for metal salvage
- household items are taken by refuse lorry for landfill at Sutton Courtenay
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Contact us about Recycling and Waste
If you can't find what you need on the website you can email the recycling and waste team. Also follow our social media channels and sign up to our newsletter for updates.
