UK-based service provider OCS has brought in its New Zealand-based subsidiary Envirocomp to run a nappy recycling facility, which will see organics material composted using HotRot technology.
The Rochester-based plant, which opened its doors last week (December 3), will initially process up to 1,800 tonnes of commercial waste per year, representing an estimated 6.5 million nappies, incontinence and sanitary products. And, the plant could be extended if more feedstock is secured.
Disposable nappies and other sanitary waste including feminine hygiene products and incontinence pads, will be collected from commercial premises across south east England by Envirocomps sister firm Cannon Hygiene, and taken to its two industrial sites in Ashford, Kent, and Clapham in London.
From the two sites, the waste will be sent to the Envirocomp facility where it will be sorted, shredded and mixed with chipped green waste in order to be composted over a 14 to 16 day period.
The output will be used for land restoration, while any plastics separated towards the end of the process could be sent to energy-from-waste plants although no contracts are currently in place.
The in-vessel composting (IVC) process, patented by organics recycling specialists HotRot, is based upon technology similar to that which the company has in operation at its two plants in New Zealand. These have been fully operational since 2009.
Optimistic
Commenting on the new facility, Envirocomp founder Karen Upston said: Four years after we began operating in New Zealand, its great to see our first nappy composting plant about to start in the UK.
Being part of the OCS Group has offered the opportunity to bring the Envirocomp solution worldwide. We already have plans for even more in the UK and elsewhere. I am really excited and optimistic that one day most of this type of waste will be recycled and our dream from way back will become a global reality for mums, dads and future generations.
Announced by Envirocomp in May this year, the Rochester plant was originally announced just days after the UKs only existing nappy recycling facility was closed in West Bromwich, leaving a gap in the market for facilities capable of reprocessing AHP waste (see letsrecycle.com story).
The 36,000 tonne-a-year Knowaste plant, which handled sanitary waste from both businesses and local authorities, closed its doors, according to Knowaste, in order to search for new operating premises, having outgrown its existing West Midlands site.
Envirocomp previously announced its intention to enter the UK market in September 2011. It currently has no plans to process local authority waste.
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