Where does my recycling and waste go?
Recycling in West Devon is collected using the kerbside sort method. This means that the recycling is sorted into different compartments of the collection vehicle depending on the material. This method helps us maintain a good quality of recyclables which makes them easier to recycle.
When the collection vehicles are full they tip the recycling at Hayedown depot, near Tavistock. From there the recyclables are bulked by type and sent to be recycled.
The metals and plastics are sent to Coastal Recycling, Torrington, Devon for further sorting before being sent for recycling.
The below table details final re-processors for recycling collected at the kerbside and in our recycling banks.
| Material | Final Re-processors | End Product |
|---|---|---|
| PET plastic bottles |
J&A Young PFR Nord GmbH |
PET bottles |
| Natural HDPE plastic bottles |
Biffa UK Polymers, J&A Young J&A Young |
HDPE bottles |
| Coloured HDPE plastic bottles |
Roydon Group PLC Trans Sabater |
Plastic Pipes |
| Plastic Pots, Tubs and Trays |
RE Plano GmbH |
Plastic pellets, ready to be made into a variety of plastic products |
| Aluminium cans |
City Metals Recycling Ltd ZAPDECO, |
Aluminium Cans |
| Steel cans |
EPS Morris and Co. GLJ Recycling |
Rebar (reinforcing rods in concrete) |
| Paper |
Palm Recycling, Norfolk, UK |
Newsprint |
| Cardboard |
Smurfitt Cappa, Kent |
Corrugated card |
| Glass |
Recresco, Cwmbran, UK |
Glass containers |
| Textiles (from kerbside) |
Wilcox |
Sent for reuse in Developing Nations |
| Batteries |
Wastecare, Halifax |
Steel for the automotive industry, nickel for coins, iron for construction, manganese for paint and lead for batteries and roofing |
| Drinks cartons (from banks) |
Ace UK, West Yorkshire |
Coreboard (tubes) |
| Textiles (from banks) |
Salvation Army |
Sent for reuse in Developing Nations |
Recyclables are a commodity that can generate an income for the Council which is used to subsidise collections and other services. We work closely with our contractor, FCC Environment, to ensure that our recyclables, where possible, are kept within the UK.
However, there is not enough infrastructure in the UK to process all its recycling, which means some export is necessary. Where recyclables from West Devon are exported outside the UK we work with our partners to ensure they are sent to legitimate and compliant re-processors.
Food and Garden Waste
The contents of the food caddies is tipped by the collection vehicles at Hayedown depot, near Tavistock. Here it is bulked before being delivered to Andigestion's Anaerobic Digestion Facility in Holsworthy. The material is broken down in a series of sealed, oxygen free tanks to produce methane, a gas used to generate electricity and digestate, a nutrient rich fertiliser used by local farmers.
Garden waste collected from subscribing households is tipped directly at Artiscombe Farm, near Tavistock. Here the garden waste is composted in large heaps which are turned every few weeks to improve breakdown of the waste. The resulting compost is used by local farmers.
Residual Waste
The black sacks are tipped by the collection vehicles at Crowndale Transfer Station where it is bulked before being delivered to MVV's Energy from Waste (EfW) and Combined Heat & Power (CHP) facility in Plymouth. The waste is used as a fuel to heat water into superpower steam which turns a turbine to create electricity.