Wednesday 6 January 2021

Veolia steps up wood waste recycling by 50,000 tonnes

Veolia has stepped up its wood recycling and processing capacity by 50,000 tonnes per year with the construction of the new Runcorn Wood Recycling Facility.

The facility will treat wood waste from Merseyside and allow around 80% to be recycled into particle-board for use in applications such as flooring, furniture and worktops.

It adds to the 410,000 tonnes of waste wood currently annually processed by the firm.

The wood will also be used to create bedding products for horses and for poultry and dairy farms, as well as spillage absorbents, fibre board, filtration systems, packaging and paint filler.

Lower grade material will be burned to generate power, which Veolia says is used to supply industry, healthcare and around 8,000 residents connected to district heating schemes.

Gavin Graveson, Executive Vice President of UK and Ireland said: "To decarbonise our future and protect our planet we know it is essential to act now. We are continually developing our recycling and renewable energy services, and the opening of this new site highlights our commitment to boost sustainability, and cut the financial and environmental costs of wasting these materials.

"By giving this material a new use or transforming it into renewable energy we can cut our carbon emissions, reduce landfill and and help the UK reach its net zero carbon target.”