The new facilities are part of a 25-year integrated waste service contract between East Sussex, Brighton and Hove council and waste firm Onyx. The contract was signed in April 2003 and will involve achieving a recycling rate of at least 33%. East Sussex currently recycles about 23% of its household waste (2003/04), with targets to reach a 27% recycling rate by 2005/06.
The Crowborough Civic Amenity site, at Farningham Road, has the capacity to collect most recyclable materials and goods, including paper, cans, batteries, cardboard, fridges, glass, garden waste and plastic bottles. Previously the site had been running as a temporary CA site. There are also plans for a second CA site at Upfield to be upgraded.
Commenting at the opening, Councillor Michael Lock, responsible for transport and environment, said: “Each household in East Sussex produces one tonne of rubbish per year and much of this could be recycled. Instead, a huge amount goes to landfill. I want to see residents, local councils and Onyx all totally committed to working with us to tackle this issue. It impacts us all.”
The facility at Farningham Road replaces another site at Old Herne Road which was shut down in 2002 to make way for a new housing development. The site has been designed and developed by consultants Owen Williams who also oversaw the building of the M1 and the original Wembley stadium.
Onyx and the two councils are also putting together plans for a new energy from waste site at New Haven and composting facility at a yet to be disclosed site, which they hope to open over the next two years.
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