A new recycling and energy recovery centre (RERC) has opened today (20 September) in Midlothian, Scotland.

Millerhill RERC, a £142-million facility, has been developed by waste management resource company FCC Environment, under a 25-year partnership with the City of Edinburgh Council and Midlothian Council.

The facility is set to divert 155,000 tonnes of waste from landfill each year, generating enough electricity to power 32,000 homes and businesses in Edinburgh and Midlothian. This will be a key driver in helping the local authorities reach the Zero Waste targets set by the Scottish Government, including achieving a recycling rate of 70 per cent and sending only five per cent of waste to landfill by 2025.

Construction began in October 2016, with the plant entering into operation in April 2019. The official opening event saw the two councils join together with waste management company FCC Environment, which will operate the facility, and key stakeholders in celebration.

Cllr Cammy Day, Depute Leader of the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “This wonderful new facility is great news for Edinburgh – it will go a long way to help meet our Zero Waste target. The Scottish Government has a target for no more than five per cent of waste being sent to landfill by 2025. Before this great new facility came on stream, Edinburgh and Midlothian councils sent about two thirds of our household waste to landfill.

“The capability of this new plant is astonishing. With over 150,000 tonnes of waste diverted from ending up in landfill, this will be the key aspect of being on track towards reaching the milestone Zero Waste target.

Midlothian Council’s leader, Cllr Dereck Milligan, said: “I am delighted to see this flagship project taking off and ready to generate green energy from waste. It is crucial to transfer household and commercial waste to advanced facilities like this rather than discarding them in landfill. This forward-thinking site will benefit the local area in a number of ways from protecting the beautiful local landscape to providing green energy.”

FCC Environment’s Chief Executive, Paul Taylor, added: “We are thrilled to join our Partner Councils to mark the official opening of the Millerhill RERC today. The facility will not only divert the large amount of waste ending up in landfill but will also generate crucial energy for local communities. The important step will benefit both councils as well as the businesses and families in the area, not to mention the environmentally-friendly benefits it will deliver to Midlothian’s landscape.”

You can find out more about Millerhill RERC on the FCC Environment website.