Taking more material away from landfill

A second site testing phase is now underway at a new £22 million recycling centre in Bargeddie.

Viridor’s residual materials recycling facility (RMRF) is now taking delivery of black- bin waste from North Lanarkshire, processing it to remove recyclable materials such as plastic bottles before sending the remainder to the firm’s base in Dunbar, to be used for the creation of lowcarbon electricity.

Waste volumes will then be gradually increased as adjustments are made ahead of the centre becoming fully operational in December with implementation of the Clyde Valley Partnership.

It will see North Lanarkshire work with nearby councils East Renfrewshire, East Dunbartonshire, Renfrewshire and North Ayrshire, and is intended to divert 190,000 tonnes of non- recyclable waste from landfill each year.

Viridor local authority contracts manager Ron Hardy said: “This is an exciting project which will play a crucial role in delivering Scotland’s ambition to achieve a zero-waste, circular economy.

“We’re reaching a crucial stage where we’re starting to fully test the facility by gradually increasing the amount of waste to make sure everything is ready for December; we’re committed to working closely with the community and are actively engaging with neighbours and stakeholders on our plans.”

Andrew McPherson, who is North Lanarkshire’s head of waste solutions, added: “Commissioning of the new Bargeddie facility is a key milestone in the Clyde Valley residual waste project and our ambitious targets to reduce household waste going to landfill.

“The technology used at the energy from waste plant makes it possible to transform waste previously sent to landfill into green energy, helping reduce our carbon footprint and improve the environmental impact of our daily lives.”