Chris Preston, deputy director for resource and waste directorate at the Department for environment, food and rural affairs (Defra) opened the new site and was also given a guided tour of the facility, which will recycle fridges from producer compliance schemes.
The multi-million-pound recycling facility is said to have replaced a nearby EMR Darlaston fridge recycling facility, doubling the site’s capacity so it can recycle “thousands” of fridges each day.
EMR said that as the number of fridges that use banned CFCs as a coolant continues to decline, the new facility will “only recycle fridges containing pentane”.
Robotic separation processes are designed to identify the fridges containing CFCs, which will then be “safely and responsibly recycled” at EMR’s fridge recycling facility in Willesden.
Chris Sheppard, chief executive at EMR, said: “We’re delighted to be opening our new state-of-the-art fridge recycling plant that enables us to recycle more fridges than ever before.
“At EMR we strive to operate above and beyond industry standards, and this new recycling plant ensures we can continue to do just that.
“It’s a critical piece of infrastructure that will provide much-needed recycling capabilities for producer compliance schemes, local authorities and manufacturers in the UK, whilst ensuring more precious materials enter back into the circular economy.”
‘Brighter, greener future’
He continued: “This facility is a symbol of innovation, our commitment to the environment, and a brighter, greener future.”
Mr Preston said: “It was a pleasure to be invited to open EMR’s state-of-the-art facility and to see this investment in the UK’s recycling infrastructure.
“Recycling facilities like this have an essential part to play as the government moves ahead with its proposals for reforming the waste electricals regulations.”
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