The project to build and operate the new facility is being overseen by Sherbourne Recycling Ltd, a company which has been established by and is wholly owned by eight partner councils.
Construction of the MRF has been underway since May 2021 and the MRF has been described by the councils involved as “world leading.”
In evaluating the environmental permit application from Sherbourne Recycling Limited, the Agency will focus on ensuring compliance with relevant environmental regulatory requirements and technical standards.
Additionally, the Environmental Agency will consider the impact of the proposed activity on the local population and nearby sensitive sites, considering potential risks to human health and the environment.
A consultation has been launched on the proposals, which will run until 18 July.
The council-owned company is applying to be able to receive “up to a total of 250,000 tonnes of feedstock per annum.” Processing activities on site shall be limited to sorting, separation, screening, baling and storage, the application adds.
The MRF is fully automated being constructed “specifically for the site to maximise the rate of recycling”. It will be operational 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with the exception of Christmas Day, Boxing Day and Easter Sunday.
‘On track’
A spokesperson for Sherbourne Recycling said: “The work on the facility is nearing completion and we have begun the process of commissioning the plant. We are still on track to begin processing waste this summer. In the meantime, the partner councils still have alternative processing arrangements in place and will transfer over to Sherbourne over the coming months as those contracts come to an end.”
The MRF is to feature integrated artificial intelligence, including several sorting robots and optical sorters provided by Machinex. Vehicle manufacturer Linde Material Handling has supplied Sherbourne Recycling with five X20-X35 electric forklifts.
The eight councils behind the MRF are: Coventry city council, North Warwickshire borough council, Nuneaton and Bedworth borough council, Rugby borough council, Stratford district council, Solihull Metropolitan borough council, Walsall council and Warwick district council.
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