Your recycling goes through a journey from your home to various processing facilities, where it is sorted, processed and transformed into new products.
Dry mixed recycling
Dry mixed recycling is taken to Biffa's Materials Recycling Facility in Edmonton.
Here, recyclable materials are sorted into different waste groups using a combination of automated technology and manual quality checks.
Materials, such as paper, cardboard, plastics, metals and cartons, are separated on conveyor belts before being sent to specialist facilities, where they are turned into new products and materials.
Food waste
Once collected, your food waste is taken to Bio Collectors' anaerobic digestion (AD) facility in Mitcham, where it is recycled.
During the AD process, naturally occurring microorganisms break down the food waste in a sealed envionment, producing renewable biogas and a nutrient-rich fertiliser.
The biogas is used to create renewable energy, helping to power homes.
The fertiliser is used on agricultural land to support food production.
The AD process helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and ensures valuable resources are returned to the environment.
Garden waste
Your garden waste is a brilliant example of a circular journey.
Once collected, your garden clippings and trimmings are taken to a processing plant called Envar in New Years Green Lane, Harefield, where they are processed into fertiliser and used to grow more plants.
Textiles
We work with the charity Traid who offer free, dedicated collections from your door for clothing and textiles. Items are hand sorted and then re-sold in Traid's charity shops. Low-quality items that cannot be reused will be recycled.
All profits raised go towards Traid's projects, which aim to improve conditions and working practices in the textile industry.
Small electricals
Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) dropped off in the pink small electricals bins (in our libraries and other council buildings) are collected and processed by Wastecare.
The small electricals are taken to their licensed Approved Authorised Treatment Facility (AATF) in Normanton, where they are reviewed and grouped by condition and potential for resale.
WEEE that is suitable for reuse may be repaired and put back on the UK market. Items that cannot be reused are taken apart so their materials can be recovered and recycled.