A £6 million state of the art recycling facility is to be opened in Glasgow. The facility, which is nearing completion, will reprocess different grades of paper, plastic, metals and cardboard.
The plant will have the capacity to process 150,000 tonnes of waste and commingled recyclables per year from the customers of waste management company Shanks’ Recycling. The reprocessed material will then be passed on to produce new items.
It will compliment Shanks’ current facility in Blochairn in Scottland and is part of the company’s plan to increase the amount of material recycled and recovered to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill.
The use of daylight to reduce electricity use and the collection of rainwater has been incorporated into the design for use in washdown and dust suppression to ensure that the recycling process is environmentally friendly.
IKM Consulting, an environmental and engineering group, is assisting with the implementation of the facility. As part of their on-site role, IKM has helped with environmental and geotechnical investigations for the design of the plant.
Andrew Parsons, Environmental Director at IKM Consulting, said: “IKM has delivered a comprehensive service for the building of the new recycling plant. We have taken a leading role in supporting the development of the facility from its conception and ensuring the facility is able to operate in harmony with its existing neighbours.
"The new Shanks' recycling plant is a great sustainable initiative for Glasgow and we are proud to be involved in the project. The hi-tech recycling plant is of the highest quality and will provide an excellent service for clients."
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How will the government and DMOs address the challenges of including glass in DRS while ensuring a level playing field across the UK?
There's no easy solution to include glass in the DRS while maintaining a level playing field. Potential approaches include a phased introduction of glass, potentially with higher deposits to reflect its logistical challenges. The government and DMOs could incentivise innovation in glass packaging design and subsidise dedicated return points for glass-handling. Exemptions for smaller businesses unable to handle glass might also be necessary. Any successful solution will likely blend several approaches. It must address the differing priorities of devolved administrations, balance environmental benefits with logistical and cost implications, and be supported by robust consumer education campaigns emphasizing the importance of glass recycling.