The in-vessel composting site is currently taking in 50,000 tonnes of both green and food waste from local authorities in Hillingdon, Brent, Harrow, Hertfordshire and Spelthorne
Martin Grundon, WLC managing director, said: “The rationale behind increasing the size of the facility here at Highview Farm is simply to give us more room to operate, particularly during seasonal peaks where the amount of waste brought in to us often is in abundance.”
The expansion, which began in March, will include 16 new vessels in addition to the existing 16 vessels. A second reception area where the collection vehicles can tip the food waste on arrival to the site is also being built. This larger reception area will replace the existing older building which is being demolished.
The 32 vessels will be used to treat the waste at the two “barriers” or stages required under the Animal By Product regulations and the waste will sit for two days, at each “barrier” until it reaches 60 degrees.
The advantage of increasing the numbers of vessels is to enable WLC to double the retention time – in other words how long material stays in the vessels to help to produce a more stable and mature product.
Reception
West London Composting (WLC) explained that the reception is already at an 'advanced stage' of completion and that the in-vessel design features a sealed roof system and bio-filter, “to help control odours.” In the past the company has had some difficulties with odour control but these have now been resolved.
In-vessel composting specialist, The Composting Company Ltd has been involved in the design of the expanded facility while WRAP (the Waste & Resources Action Programme) has helped fund the development which WLC has described as the “largest facility of its kind in Europe.”
WLC produce 30,000 tonnes of both 10 millimetre and 25 millimetre compost per year.
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