Once planning permission is approved, the investment will support Suffolk’s move to a dual-stream household recycling system from 2026, when residents across the county’s five district and borough councils will separate recycling into two collections, as part of the rollout of Simpler Recycling for households.
According to Biffa, the change is designed to improve the quality of recyclable materials while reducing the amount of residual waste requiring disposal.
In addition to modernising the facility, the project secures a 10-year extension to Biffa’s waste disposal contract with Suffolk County Council.
Councillor Chris Chambers, Suffolk County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Strategy, Planning and Waste, commented: “This upgrade marks a significant step forward for recycling in Suffolk.
“We are pleased to be working with Biffa to further improve recycling for Suffolk residents and businesses in 2026.”
Half the cost of the project is coming from funding Suffolk County Council has received from the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme.
Upgrades to glass plant and fire protection
The site is capable to handling up to 75,000 tonnes of recycling each year.
Key improvements planned include the installation of a new glass processing plant, enabling more efficient glass recovery in line with the new collection system.
Around £1m will be invested in enhanced fire protection measures, including the installation of Helios fire suppression cannons and new sprinkler systems.
Further upgrades include a new twin-ram baler, an upgraded Tomra optical sorters and improved film extraction systems to increase capture rates and material purity.
The project will also deliver a new welfare and office block for staff, as well as additional storage bays and expanded yard space to support increased throughput and operational efficiency.
Masons Materials Recovery Facility
Masons MRF was originally built in 1998 and has undergone significant investment in recent years.
In 2019, under previous contractor Viridor, the site received a multi-million-pound upgrade which increased overall capacity and saw the installation of 11 optical sorters and 111 conveyors.
The latest round of investment follows the award of a new contract to Biffa to process mixed recyclable material on behalf of Suffolk’s local authorities, reflecting the facility’s central role in the county’s recycling infrastructure.
Craig Konczak, Director of MRFs and PRFs at Biffa, added: “As the UK leader in sustainable waste management, our work with local authorities at district and county level drives positive change, helping people waste less and recycle more, with all the environmental and economic benefits that brings.
“The work at Masons means we can build on the progress we’ve made together for many more years to come.”
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