Where Does Your Waste and Recycling Go?

After collection, your recycling is sorted at our Padworth Materials Recovery Facility, operated by Veolia, before being sent for recycling in the UK.

Find out how Veolia recycle different materials below.

Plastic bottles

Plastic bottles are sorted into the two types of plastic (PET and HDPE). The bottles are sent to a reprocessor in Dagenham to be recycled into new products. PET can be made into fleece garments, insulating linings, sleeping bag stuffing and even loft insulation. HDPE can be used to make things like drainage pipes and garden furniture.

Steel and aluminium cans

Steel and aluminium cans are separated by use of magnets and are sent for recycling within the UK and Germany. Steel cans are melted down and made into new products like new cans or car parts. Aluminium cans are melted and rolled out into thin aluminium sheets to make new cans.

Paper and card

Paper and card are separated into different types of quality. Newspapers and magazines are sent to a newsprint mill in the UK for recycling. Mixed paper and card is sent to mixed paper mills to be made into paper or packaging, this can sometimes be done in Europe. Cardboard will go to a cardboard recycling mill, where it will be used to make new cardboard products and filling.

Textiles 

Textiles are sent to a huge warehouse in the UK to be hand-sorted. Items are sorted into different qualities of clothing and textiles to ensure best reuse when distributing worldwide.

Glass 

Glass is taken to treatment plants in the UK. At the plant, glass is sorted into different colours and then recycled into new bottles or jars.

Food and garden waste 

Garden and food waste is taken to our local composting facility in Padworth. Your garden and food waste is checked, mixed, shredded and composted to be used as a soil conditioner, which is sold to local farmers and landscaping companies.

To find out more watch our video. 

General Waste

Any rubbish you put in your black bin goes straight to landfill or Energy from Waste.  Please make sure you recycle and reduce your waste as much as you can.