How we manage your waste

The recycling process

What happens to your recycling

• After we collect your recyclable waste (mixed materials), we take it to a transfer station where it’s loaded onto larger lorries.
• Mixed materials are taken to our sorting plant at West Sleekburn.
• When your recycling reaches the sorting plant, staff will then remove any items that could contaminate the recycling (e.g. crisp packets, nappies, food waste, and electrical items).
• The remaining waste is separated using magnets and electrical currents.
• The sorted recyclables are then squashed into separate bails before being transported to different factories to be made into new products we can use again, e.g.:
  • Fleece jumpers and picnic benches from plastic bottles
  • Kitchen rolls from paper
  • Washing machines and new cans from recycled cans and aerosols

Energy from waste

• Non-recycled household waste is diverted from landfill to the EfW site in Teesside.
• Once inside the plant, the waste is distributed evenly as it passes through a series of grate bars.
• Waste is then passed through the furnace where it is dried, before being burned at temperatures around 1,000 degrees Celsius.
• Burning waste creates both renewable energy, and Incinerator Bottom Ash (IBA).
• Hot flue gas (produced from burning waste) is passed through a boiler and mixes with water to create steam. This steam is used to drive turbines, which generate electricity.
• IBA drops into a water tank to cool it, and then travels along a conveyor belt to a storage pit. Magnets then extract ferrous (iron-rich) metals from the ash which can then be recycled.
• Water sprays and extraction fans are used to ensure dust and odour is controlled during this process.
• This cleaning system also filters out particles which will be disposed of at a licensed, special waste disposal facility.

Private Finance Initiative

• at least 45% of waste in the country will be recycled
• 47% will be used to generate electricity
• only 8% will be disposed of in landfill sites

• Improve existing HWRCs, and to develop new sites such as the new facility at North Seaton, Ashington.
• Develop a new recycling facility at West Sleekburn Industrial Estate.
• Construct a new waste transfer station at West Sleekburn, enabling non-recyclable waste to be transferred to an EfW facility.