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Advanced Recycling And Refuse Derived Fuel Facility Opens In Polmont

7 February 2012

Scotland's renewable energy and zero waste ambitions were given a boost today with the launch of a new £20m state-of-the-art Advanced Waste Treatment Centre by Avondale Environmental

Located in Polmont, central Scotland, the first phase of this pioneering development - the Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) - was officially opened by Richard Lochhead MSP Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment.

The MRF is capable of processing 200,000 tonnes of waste every year - the equivalent of all of Glasgow's black bag waste. Around 60 percent of this waste will be diverted from going to landfill through recycling and developing fuels, from the waste, for energy production.

The new plant will be powered by renewable electricity from methane gas converted by onsite landfill gas engines - further endorsing its green credentials.

The MRF will serve a wide range of existing clients including industrial, municipal and private sector customers.

Speaking at the launch event, Colin Cooper, managing director for Avondale Environmental said: "We are delighted to be delivering a nationally important recycling and fuel from waste facility which will serve our customers throughout Scotland."

Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead said: "In Scotland we have increasingly high levels of recycling and are well on our way to becoming a zero waste nation.

"The future of waste management is not in landfill, and I am pleased to see a landfill operator such as Avondale investing in a solution that offers a genuine alternative for black bin bag waste. This new facility gives a last opportunity to recycle some of this material and produce energy from the rest.

"But we must not be complacent on the need to raise our game on recycling. 81 percent of plastic bottles still end up in landfill - if separated at source and recycled it would greatly reduce our demand on scarce, costly raw materials. I hope other waste management companies note the positive approach taken by Avondale and together we will reach our zero waste goal."

Darrel Moore