The construction of Walsall’s new £32 million Household Waste Recycling Centre and Waste Transfer Station is now complete.
The site, situated on Middlemore Lane, Aldridge, will provide easy-to-use facilities helping residents to recycle a wider range of items. This will enable the delivery of a new waste strategy, to be launched this year, which will emphasise a shift towards a circular economy, where materials are reused and recycled.
The facilities will play a crucial role in meeting local and national waste management objectives by reducing landfill waste and increasing recycling rates.
“ This project is a huge development for Walsall. What has been delivered here is truly a state-of-the-art facility, which will prove vital in ensuring we can continue to accommodate the waste demands we face in the Borough.
“No project of this size comes without challenges but working with Morgan Sindall has been seamless throughout. It’s been fabulous watching the plans come into reality. The contribution from Councillor Kerry Murphy throughout this process has been incredible and something I would like to thank her for.
“Our current facilities have served us well, but this project will accommodate our increasing demand and help us all to recycle and reuse more of our waste.” “
Councillor Adrian Andrew, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth and Regeneration
The station will have the capacity to process 40,000 tonnes of rubbish per year across 19 bays, each housing two skips.
In addition to the construction of the Household Waste Recycling Centre and Waste Transfer Station, the site includes the provision of weighbridges, service yards, ventilation systems, and office and welfare facilities for operational and management staff.
A reuse shop with a workshop area will also operate at the site, further enhancing community benefits. Staff in the workshop will refurbish items that would otherwise have been thrown away. The items, all in good and safe condition, will then be sold at a low cost.
To create a positive social impact, 69% of the workforce for the project was sourced locally, with operatives hired from within a 20-mile radius of the site. 19 apprentices and five graduates were also hired, while nine school visits offering students hands-on experience in the construction industry were held throughout the project.
“ It’s an incredible achievement to handover these key facilities to Walsall Council. At Morgan Sindall, sustainability is core to everything we do, so it makes us proud to deliver a project that will actively contribute to landfill diversion, increased recycling rates, and an overall cleaner borough for Walsall’s residents.
“Through our commitment to delivering social value and supporting the next generation of construction professionals, we’ve built a lasting connection with the local community and very much look forward to continuing our relationship with Walsall Council in future. “
Richard Fielding, Area Director for Morgan Sindall Construction in the Midlands
In total, the project generated £753,000 in social value, including donations of winter essentials to Walsall Outreach and approximately £12K raised for Acorns Children’s Hospice through metal recycling.
Operations are slated to start in 2025, with plans to be communicated in the near future.